Social Model of Health
The Social Model of Health, often referred to as the Social Determinants of Health, emphasizes the influence of societal factors on the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Unlike traditional medical models that focus primarily on individual diseases and biological causes, this model advocates for a broader perspective that includes social conditions such as employment, housing, and access to resources. By examining how these factors interact, health reformers aim to identify and address systemic issues that contribute to health disparities.
For instance, the living and working conditions in urban areas can significantly affect health outcomes, as those in poorer environments may be more susceptible to diseases. The model also highlights the importance of addressing inequalities based on gender, income, and disability, which can create barriers to essential services and opportunities. Supporters of the Social Model believe that understanding these social determinants is critical for improving individual and public health, as well as promoting social equity. Ultimately, this approach seeks to create a fairer society by tackling the root social issues that adversely affect health trends.
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Social Model of Health
The Social Model of Health, also called the Social Determinants of Health, is a study that examines the role of society on the health of individuals and groups. This model expands upon traditional perspectives that focused on individuals and direct causes of disease. Followers of the Social Model of Health explore social topics such as employment, housing, and access to resources and opportunities. By identifying harmful problems in society, reformers may be able to improve the well-being of the people in the society.
Overview
In its most basic sense, the study of health involves examining an individual to determine that person’s state of well-being, sickness, or injury. With modern improvements in science and knowledge, many experts have greatly expanded the study of health. They have searched for broader trends as well as the myriad causes and effects of health, both in individuals and groups of people.
The traditional method of studying health is the Medical Model, which focuses on diseases and their cures. This model came to encompass two subcategories, the Biomedical Model and the Lifestyle Model. The Biomedical Model focuses mainly on immediate causes of diseases, such as genetics and biological contaminants. The Lifestyle Model focuses on personal choices made by individuals that impact their health, such as eating balanced diets or smoking.
Health reformers found fault with the exclusive reliance on these traditional perspectives. They looked beyond the individual, case-by-case focus to analyze the role of society on health. These reformers fully accepted the importance of the biomedical and lifestyle models but felt that they should be combined with a new, social model to give a more comprehensive picture as well as to point out a number of troubling social issues related to health.
The result of this reform movement was the Social Model of Health, also called the Social Determinants of Health. This was a new, multi-tiered perspective on health analysis. In general, it encompasses all the conditions of people’s lives, from birth to death. It covers aspects of life that are not directly related to contaminants or lifestyle choices, but rather to the distribution and use of money, goods, resources, and power on many social levels.
Some of the main focuses of the social model involve working and living conditions. Analysts study how different kinds of occupations, or lack of occupation, can influence health. Studying living conditions in an area, particularly an urban area, can often shed light on major health concerns. For example, people living in dirty, poorly ventilated apartments may be more likely to develop respiratory diseases.
Adherents of the Social Model also examine the needs of different kinds of people. For example, in some parts of the world, females lack equal rights and children do not have sufficient opportunities to grow, learn, and develop to their full potential. People without much money, or those with disabilities, may not have access to the services they need. These disadvantages may all contribute to physical or mental illnesses.
Supporters of the Social Model of Health hold that it is a previously unexplored but vital part of understanding the health of individuals and groups. Moreover, this study can help people identify inequities and other problems in societies that can negatively influence health trends. By finding and correcting these social problems, people can not only improve the well-being of individuals but also the fairness of the world.
Bibliography
“About Social Determinants of Health.” World Health Organization, 2020, www.who.int/social‗determinants/sdh‗definition/en/. Accessed 29 May 2020.
Beddoe, Liz and Jane Maidment. Social Work Practice for Promoting Health and Wellbeing: Critical Issues. Routledge, 2013.
Bolton, Derek and Grant Gillett. The Biopsychosocial Model of Health and Disease. Palgrave Macmillan, 2019.
Larkin, Mary. Social Aspects of Health, Illness, and Healthcare. McGraw Hill / Open University Press, 2011.
“Models of Health: Factsheet.” Community Development and Health Network, www.cdhn.org/sites/default/files/downloads/FACTSHEETS 1‗Screen View(1).pdf. Accessed 29 May 2020.
“Social Determinants of Health.” Ohio State University / Kirwan Institute, kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/docs/SocialDeterminantsofHealth‗May-29-12.pdf. Accessed 29 May 2020.
“Social Determinants of Health.” World Health Organization, 2020, www.who.int/social‗determinants/en/. Accessed 29 May 2020.
“The Social Model of Health.” Discover Sociology, 2019, www.discoversociology.co.uk/health/the-social-model-of-health. Accessed 29 May 2020.