Individual, Soc & Health

Question 1

Health beh vs illness beh:

Answer 1

Health beh: actions an individual carries out to maintain good health (vacc, exercise, eating healthy)

Illness beh: actions an individual does when he perceives himself to be sick. A sick person may try to be stoic, compliance to med etc.

Question 2

Concept of ‘sick role’:

Role=socially expected behaviour from the position the person occupies in the society

Answer 2

• the sick person is not regarded as being morally responsible for his sickness
• the sick person is excused from performing his usual daily duties
• the sick person is regarded as being incapable of overcoming the illness alone
• sick person must seek help

Question 3

Criticisms of sick role:

Answer 3

• people with chronic illnesses are still forced to go to work
• not all illnesses can be cured
• not all ‘sick people’ wants to get well quickly

Question 4

What can the gov do to reduce impact of low social position on health?

Answer 4

1. Reduce inequality (transfer resources to lower classes thru tax and social welfare sys)
2. Increase social mobility (make edu free for smart children from poor fam so that they can come out of poverty)
3. Manage econ (creating job opportunities)
4. Universal female edu
5. Make basic health care free or heavily subsidised
6. Provide decent quality housing to the poor
7. Public policy to keep prices of food staples low