Medical Sociology & Community Health

Medical Sociology and Sociological Theory

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The relation between medical sociology and sociological theory is crucial to the sub discipline. Theory is usually distinguishes research in medical sociology from socially oriented studies like public health and health services research. Sociological theory allows medical sociology to remain unique among the health-related social and behavioral sciences. Medical Sociology was intended to help solve a clinical problem, rather than develop theory. Social conflict is a theory which tells about the struggle between segments of society over valued resources. There are so many sociological theories which deal with the health aspects in social contexts like engaged theory, feminism, positivism, social constructionism and social exchange theory.

Social determinants of health are the social and economic conditions and their distribution among the population that influence individual and group differences health status. Social determinants of health include social gradients, stress, early childhood development, social exclusion, unemployment, food insecurity, housing, availability of healthy food and disability. The social determinants in Canada and the USA are clearly well below the standards seen in other developed nations in terms of quality and equitable distribution. Medical Sociologists, Social Science Researchers, Social Workers, Sociologists plays major role in this aspect.