Health and Medicine in Canada

Chapter-19-Health and Medicine

19.3. Health in Canada

1. What factors contribute to the disparities in health among ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender groups in Canada?

The World Health Organization (WHO) (2006) defines health as "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity," in mind that people are both biological and social beings.  As such, human health must be described in both the biological and social contexts. Correspondingly, health outcomes are also determined by their biological characteristics and social experiences. Disparities in health outcomes among different social groups are a universal phenomenon, and they affect even the most developed countries such as Canada. The significance of the effects of health disparities among social groups has led to social epidemiology or the study social elements affecting the prevalence and distribution of disease.

Physical Environment

 Little, McGivern, & Kerins, (2016) indicate socioeconomic status and the standard of living account for all the health disparities in Canada. For example, aboriginal people living in reserves have lower health outcomes emanating from infectious diseases when compared to Canadians in other regions. The reason, as the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) (2013) suggests, are the living conditions. In 2011, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (AADNC) reports that overcrowding rates among on-reserve aboriginals were six times higher than those of non-aboriginal people. Moreover, aboriginals living on reserves often live in dilapidated housing with 41.5% requiring repairs compared to 7% for non-aboriginal households and 14.5% off-reserve aboriginal households. Coupled with lack proper social amenities such as clean drinking water, sanitation, such living condition can increase the risk of infectious, communicable and mental illnesses.

Socioeconomic Status

An individual's or group’s socioeconomic status (SES) or the measure of education, income, occupation, social class and status is a definitive factor in determining their health outcomes. The Canadian society consists of groups and individuals who fall into different positions in the socioeconomic hierarchy. Some of the determiners of the determiners of socioeconomic standing include race, gender, and ethnicity (Goldber, 2017). Those with a higher SES have better health outcomes because they are educated and can therefore make better health choices, can access and afford quality healthcare, health insurance, and safe housing, have food security and better nutrition and have access to social amenities such as safe drinking water and sanitation.  Educational attainment is pertinent in determining one's occupation and receptivity of health education information. Unfortunately, due to socioeconomic disenfranchisement, ethnic groups such as the aboriginal community do not have the material resources necessary to secure a quality education. According to Reading & Wien (2009, p.12), “An estimated 50% of Aboriginal youth will drop out, or be pushed out, of high schools; resulting in diminished literacy and employment, as well as increased poverty in future generations.”  Little et al. (2016, p. 845) contend, "Actual medical care accounts for only about a quarter of health outcomes" and that "Providing adequate financial resources might be the best medical treatment that can be provided to poor patients." Therefore, poor educational attainment bars ethnic groups from attaining the best means to improved health outcomes- adequate finances.

Gender

The government of Canada defines gender as “The array of society-determined roles, personality traits, attitudes, behaviors, values, relative power and influence that society ascribes to the two sexes on a differential basis”(2013, KEY DETERMINANT -- 11 ). For example, men are more likely to smoke and drink while women undertake less demanding physical activities and are more like to be single parents. As such men and women have different roles and social expectations. As such, men often engage in risky behaviors and occupations and have a lower tendency to seek timely medical attention. Women, on the other hand, are affected by gender-based roles; stressors that accompany them, unequal access to social and material resources necessary for fostering health. Domestic violence and sexual discrimination also affect women’s health where women are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illnesses (medicalized) (Little et al., 2016).

19.4. Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Medicine

1. Which theoretical perspective do you think best explains the sociology of health? Why?

There are there different sociological perceptions of health, illness, and medicine each of which approaches the subjects differently. While it is difficult to discern which perspective is right or wrong, an evaluation of these perspectives can help societies and institutions choose the one which fits their objectives and policies.

The Functionalist perspective was brought forward by sociologist, Talcott Parsons in 1951. This school of thought views society as a system in which every component must function efficiently for the stability of the whole. This approach acknowledges that functions of each element can be intended and unintended which makes illness a sanctioned form of deviance. Therefore, since the since ill people do not choose to be ill, there is a need for assuming the sick role by the ill as well as their caregivers to ensure a harmonious functioning of society. Under the functionalist approach, ill people have rights and responsibilities to fulfill. On legitimization of the illness by medical practitioners, ill people are not held responsible for their illness and are not expected to accomplish the normal obligations. The role of the sick is to try to get well by seeking appropriate medical attention failure to which might lead to ostracization (Little et al. (2016).