Health and illness: Social and biological constructs

wellness and unwellness Social and biological constructsDefine twain wellness and illness as affectionate and biological constructs. Examine the shipway in which both constructs differ in your answer make point of reference to health patterns in two contrasting culturesThe everyday absence of illness or illness is known as our health (Bilton et al 2002). Health is simply a biological description of our bodies, and if well-nighthing is not right, then we concur ourselves ill (Bilton et al 2002). There is unsounded to be two views on health and illness, one being the biological and the other sociological. Biological views of our health looks at our bodies through the biomedical model of health, this is used by health professionals in the diagnoses and treatment of a disease (Bilton et al 2002). If a some soundbox is diagnosed with an illness, it sens be treated by forms or cathexis fors, therapies, such as physiotherapy, or by surgery (Bilton et al 2002). The biomedical model looks at our dust in different ways and it is mute that the mind and the body can be treated differently this is referred to as mind/body dualism. Plus the body is liked to a machine, meaning it can be repaired, the doctor being the engineer that repairs it (Nettleton 2006). Because of the ability to diagnose illnesses and recommend treatment, the health profession hold a high power status, along with the command of the health industry (Bilton et al 2002). Society has been entrenched with this power held by a health professional, we have become dependent on expiration to seek medical advice because of their experience on the understanding of being ill and letting them decide whether treatment is needed (Bilton et al 2002). Doctors comprehend that health and illness is not a shared by their patients, so facts of life and expensive advertisements attempt to promote awareness and symptoms. The Biomedical model is criticised by neighborlyist McKeown (1976) were he argued th at improved hygiene, sanitation and nutrition have been central affable improvements of health (McKeown 1976 in Parry 2010). Further much Illich (1975) argues that modern medicine is iatrogenic, meaning it creates rather than cures disease (Illich 1975 in Parry 2010). Marxist (1972) theories alike argue that the prominence of the medical model removes the attention away from mixer causes of disease (Marxist 1972 in Parry 2010, Adams et al 2002).In contrast to the biomedical model we also have the sociological model of health, it is understood that this considers the social origins and influences on disease (Bilton et al 2002). The social model of health considers the environment, social and behavioural factors into consideration. The social model has a long history, from influences such as urbanisation and industrialisation (Wainwright 2007). to a fault material deprivation plays a fundamental role in the cause of disease (Wainwright 2007). This is because the poor may be refu sed or not have the knowledge to access to goods and services for health. Providing just water, good housing and an adequate food sum up can pass on to a psyche being healthier (Wainwright 2007). It is claimed that if a person is works in a job that is strenuous then they are more likely to catch disease and become ill (Wainwright 2007). It is also understood that work class plenty have a higher fatality rate rate than those in the other classes (Wainwright 2007, Parry 2010). This could be payable to the operative class living in industrialised areas or highly dwell areas as the spread of disease is more common (Bilton et al 2002). Likewise work related accidents are more prone to people working in industrialised areas (Bilton et al 2002, Wainwright 2007). Health education can play a role in improving the health of people, if people can understand how pass bying insanitary lifestyles can contribute to illness and disease then maybe this will turn them away from the unhea lthy lifestyle (Bilton et al 2002, Parry 2010). Some forms of an unhealthy lifestyle could be smoking, eating fatty foods or lacking physical activity (Sanna 2006). The social model of health also suggests that disability is driven upon an impaired person as a result of the way society is organised (Oliver and Sapey 1999). Suggesting a person with an impairment has become unable to remain in the company due to the social and physical environment stopping them continuing to lead an independent life (Oliver and Sapey 1999).In comparison the culture in mainland China have a different view on the health of the body. This is understood to be the body is in good health when it is in occur harmony, this referring to the Yin and Yang (Wong 2008), factors such as the environment influence this imbalance (Wong 2008). To restore the balance, traditional remedial practises are used an example of this is herbal tea (Wong 2008, Holtz 2008). The Chinese governance have a laissez-flair policy fo r health care in rural areas, they also utilise a pay as you go type scheme for when a person visits a hospital or clinic (Holtz 2008, Wong 2008). People in urban areas can also have government health insurance which aims to provide more access to health care and better technologies (Holtz 2008). Currently the Chinese government have invested heavily on improving public health by modifying and enlarging disease prevention units, supply control centres and disaster relief in some of the countrys study cities (Holtz 2008). Mental health is one of Chinas major concerns this is due to the rapid social and economic changes, financial losses, gambling, extramarital affairs, family violence, break and raises in substance abuse (Holtz 2008). Furthermore unemployment and the widening gap amidst the wealthy and the poor are having an effect on the Chinese states mental health (Holtz 2008).Mexico has a range of packages available for its residents to modify them to access health care (Hol tz 2008) this includes the social security institution which provides reporting for all medical care and prescriptions (Holtz 2008). Also the social security system, which covers workers, is do up of several agencies and is funded by employers, employees and the government (Holtz 2008). Relationship failures, imbalances with food, water, air and temperature pass on to the causes of illness in Mexico (Holtz 2008). Clean water has been a challenge for Mexico as this is needed to prevent illness and maintaining health (Holtz 2008). It is understood by some that illness is caused as a failure to relate to god (Holtz 2008) and due to the high costs in health care in Mexico there are spiritual and physical healers that use traditional technics (Holtz 2008). The Curanderos, are believed to be chosen by god to heal people (Holtz 2008). Yerberos specialize in using herbs and spices for treatment (Holtz 2008). Sobadors use massage therapy to try and correct muscularity imbalance (Holtz 2 008). Parteras are midwife like, women only, who have been trained as a birth attendant by other family members or friends this is cheaper to pay for than a physician (Holtz 2008).