Sociology of health and illness

1. The sociology of health and illness is a branch of sociology that studies how social factors influence health, illness, and healthcare. It examines how societal structures, institutions, and norms shape people's experiences of health and illness. This field explores issues such as access to healthcare, disparities in health outcomes, the social determinants of health, healthcare systems, and the impact of social inequalities on well-being. Sociologists in this field analyze the influence of social class, gender, race, ethnicity, and other social factors on health behaviors, healthcare utilization, and health outcomes. The sociology of health and illness also considers the role of power, discrimination, social control, and stigma in shaping health experiences. By examining the social dimensions of health and illness, sociologists aim to improve understanding of health disparities and inform policies and interventions to promote health equity.

What is meant by medicalization?

A) The process by which human conditions come to be defined and treated as medical conditions
B) The rejection of mainstream healthcare
C) The use of alternative medicine
D) The process of self-diagnosing illnesses

2. Which approach focuses on the idea that social inequalities lead to health disparities?

A) Social determinants of health approach
B) Psychological approach
C) Biomedical approach
D) Individual behavior approach

3. What is meant by the term 'health disparity'?

A) A difference in access to healthcare services
B) A difference in genetic predispositions
C) A difference in individual behaviors
D) A difference in health outcomes between different populations

4. What is the role of social support in health and illness?

A) It has no impact on health outcomes
B) It can exacerbate health issues
C) It is solely the responsibility of healthcare providers
D) It can buffer the negative effects of stress and improve health outcomes

5. What is meant by the term 'food desert'?

A) An area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food
B) A place with an abundance of food choices
C) A popular food market
D) A culinary desert

6. What is medical pluralism?

A) The coexistence of multiple medical systems and beliefs within a society
B) A uniform medical approach in all societies
C) The exclusive reliance on biomedicine
D) The rejection of traditional medicine

7. Which concept refers to a person's ability to understand and act upon health information?

A) Health insurance
B) Medical terminology
C) Behavioral intervention
D) Health literacy

8. What is the key focus of the bio-psycho-social model of health?

A) Disregarding mental health aspects
B) Focusing solely on biological factors
C) Understanding health through the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors
D) Emphasizing individual responsibility for health

9. Which concept refers to the process through which certain health conditions become defined as medical problems requiring medical intervention?

A) Preventative care.
B) Psychoeducation.
C) Health promotion.
D) Medicalization.

10. What is the 'social constructionist view' of health and illness?

A) The rejection of medical interventions
B) The view that health is solely determined by genetics
C) The belief in universal healthcare
D) The understanding that health and illness are socially constructed concepts

11. Who coined the term 'sick role' in sociology?

A) Talcott Parsons.
B) Karl Marx.
C) Emile Durkheim.
D) Max Weber.

12. What is meant by the term 'intersectionality' in relation to health?

A) The intersection of different diseases within a community
B) The road intersection leading to healthcare facilities
C) The ability to access healthcare services at intersections
D) The interconnectedness of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender that contribute to health disparities

13. Which sociological perspective emphasizes the importance of symbolic meanings and social interactions in shaping health behaviors?

A) Symbolic interactionism.
B) Structural functionalism.
C) Feminist theory.
D) Conflict theory.

14. Which term refers to the practice of providing healthcare services remotely, using technology?

A) Traditional medicine
B) Telemedicine
C) Homeopathy
D) Placebo effect

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