Health as a Human Right

Health

It is defined as the state of a person being free of any illnesses or injuries

with complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Health becomes a dynamic condition because of a body's constant

adaptation and adjustment in response to the changes in his environment.
Health as Human Right
Health is wealth as they always say. It might sound clich, but it is a simple truth. If
a member of the society is unhealthy and sick, there will be a dysfunction in the
community. It is the main reason health is considered as one of the primary
concerns in every society. Thus, it became one of the human rights.
In effect, World Health Organization first articulated the 1948 Universal Declaration
of Human Rights mentioned health as part of the human right.
Human Right to Health

It means that every person has the right for the highest attainable standard
of physical and mental health which guarantees a health system protection for
everyone.

It also covers the access to all medical services, adequate food, sanitation,
decent housing, healthy working conditions, and clean environment.
Human Right to Health Care

It means that health care must be financed by the government to the people
as a public good.

There should be an accessible, acceptable, and good quality of hospitals,

clinics, doctors service and medicines for everyone, on an equitable basis, when
and where it is needed.
Fundamental Human Rights Standards as Guide in Designing a Health Care
System
The design of a health care system must be steered by the following:
Universal Access
The access to health care must be universal, meaning, every person must have
access to comprehensive, affordable, and high quality of health care, wherever and
whenever it is needed.

Availability
There must be an availability of medical assistance infrastructures like hospitals and
health centers, well-trained health professionals, goods such as drugs and medical
equipment, and services like care and mental health in all communities.
Quality
All health care must be of high quality guided by quality standards and is medically
appropriate.
Acceptability and Dignity
Every health care institution must respect the dignity, must provide culturally
sensitive care, must comply with medical ethics, and must protect confidentiality. It
must be sympathetic to the needs of every person based on age, culture, gender,
and language.
Non-discrimination
Health care must be provided without any discrimination such as health status,
income, social status, ethnicity, race, age, gender, disability, language, national
origin, and religion.
Transparency
Any health related information must be accessible to every person, this will enable
people to protect their health. Any finance and health care transaction must operate
in a most transparent way.
Participation
Every individual and community must take an active role in all decisions affecting
people's right to health care.
Accountability
All public agencies and private companies must be held accountable for protecting
the right to the healthcare of the people. It can be through enforcing standards,
regulations, and independent compliance monitoring.
Health Care Challenges in the Philippines
The countrys public healthcare system is harmed with problems. Some of these
are:

the shortage of health staff

the absence of sufficient facilities

the remaining hindrances for the poor to access health care

Key Points

Health is defined as the state of a person being free of any illnesses or

injuries with complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Human Right to Health means that every person has the right for the
highest attainable standard of physical and psychological health which guarantees a
health system protections for everyone.

Human Right to Health Care means that health care must be financed by
the government to the people as a public good.

Universal Access refers to the accessibility of any health care whenever and
wherever it is needed.

Availability relates to the availability of health care infrastructure, welltrained health, goods, and services.

Quality refers to the good quality that must be provided by the medical
centers and hospitals.

Non-discrimination means that health care must be supplied without any

discrimination in intent or effect.

Transparency means any health-related information must be accessible for

every person concerning information, decision-making, and management.

Participation means the health care system must enable meaningful public
involvement in all decisions affecting people's right to health care.

Accountability means the health care system must be accountable to the

people it serves.
Social and Political Stratification
The dictionary defines stratification as something that has been arranged into
categories.
Social stratification refers to the kind and degree of distribution of resources
within a social system.
Examples: wealth, status, prestige, and privilege
Political stratification is best explained as the extent to which such inequalities
are enclosed in, or influenced by, political structures and processes.
Examples: involving influence, authority, or power

The Meaning and Characteristics of Social Desirables

Social desirables are factors that affect social stratification. A social hierarchy
exists because of the unequal distribution of social desirablesproperty, power, and
prestigein a society where the larger population of financially challenged
individuals have less social desirables than the smaller group of rich people.
The following describes each social desirable:

Property: income-producing assets that people own (e.g. real estate) that
increase financial wealth.

Power: the capacity to influence individuals or activities to achieve wealth

and prestige.

Prestige: an individuals status among his peers in society.

These three factors dictate ones place in society. Ideally, the greater social
desirable a person has denotes a higher position in society. Because social
desirables come hand in hand, more top class people become well-known and
influential in society, and as such, treated with greater care and professionalism.
Examples:

Service quality in high-end restaurants significantly differ from casual dining

venues.

In significant societal functions, good seats are usually reserved for highranking individuals.

People quickly follow trends set by powerful and influential people.

The Role of Social Desirables in a Functionalist Perspective

In a functionalist society, all social elements are seen as contributing

factors in reaching social equilibrium and balance.

Social desirables serve as rewards for fulfilling certain social goals.

Inequality is seen as universal, and therefore, allows unequal distribution of

power, prestige, and property without disrupting the social structure.

The most important positions in society are rewarded the most.

The Role of Social Desirables in a Conflict Perspective

A conflict perspective views the attainment of social desirables as a

constant competition for scarce resources.

Inequality greatly exists in a society that drives people to compete for

resources resulting in social change and continuous conflict.

People with social desirables are given much importance and priority than
ordinary workers and individuals.

Social desirables dictate how one should be treated in a society of inequality.

What do you think?

Can all social desirables be passed one from one generation to another? Why? Why
not?

Tips

Social class may change depending on social desirables. For instance, if a

poor person won big in the lottery and managed to develop successful
businesses from his winnings, then he is most likely to belong to a higher
class than he did before.

Power, prestige, and property do not necessarily need to be at high levels at

the same time. A person, for example, may have power or influence at
societal issues but do not necessarily have properties at par with
businesspeople, yet he remains to be at a high social position.

Key Points

Social stratification refers to the kind and degree of distribution of

resources within a social system while political stratification is best
understood as the extent to which such inequalities are encapsulated in, or
influenced by, political structures and processes.

Social desirables are factors that influence social stratification.

A social hierarchy exists because of the unequal distribution of social

desirables in a society where the larger population of financially challenged
individuals have less social desirables than the smaller group of rich people.

In a functionalist society, all social elements are seen as contributing

factors in reaching social equilibrium and balance.

A conflict perspective views the attainment of social desirables as a

constant competition for scarce resources.

Social Mobility Systems

Learn about it!
Society has always consisted of different classes that are usually set apart by socioeconomic factors. However, similar to the example, social and financial resources
are not always the basis for defining social class. There are various systems
involved in social stratification, two of which will be highlighted in this lesson.
*Social Mobility and its Systems *
Social mobility is the movement (of individuals or groups) from one social status
to another. A movement may be verticalgoing up or down the social hierarchy, or
horizontalsimply changing a social role within the same social class. Oftentimes,
social status is seen as mainly dependent upon socio-economic factors like power,
prestige, and wealth. However, in some cases, status is determined by cultural or
spiritual norms. These variations only specify that a social mobility may also involve
systems that may or may not be open to social change.
Social mobility may also be looked into in terms of generational factors.
An** intragenerational** mobility specifies vertical or horizontal movement of
social status in the course of ones lifespan. A man who was poor as a child but
became rich as an adult is an example of this. On the other hand,**
intergenerational mobility** refers to movement of social status across several
generations. In this case, a man may be able to live a high-status, lavish life
because of the hardwork of his poor grandparents as blue-collared workers and the
perseverance of his middle-class parents to finish a college degree, eventually
uplifting the financial status of their family and allowing their children to live better
lives.
Meaning and Types of Social Mobility Systems
A social mobility system may be an open or closed system. As expected, an open
system is less constrictive compared to a closed one. Below are their descriptions.
Open System

This is composed of achieved status where social status is gained through

merit or effort.

Its members have access to different resources depending upon their social
status.

No formal restrictions on marriage across classes is emphasized.

Social mobility is possible.

Example: class system

Closed System

This is composed of ascribed status where societal membership is defined

upon or prior to birth.

Its members strictly follow spiritual and cultural norms as a way of life.

Mobility from one caste to another is not possible.

Decision-making is also based on cultural and spiritual norms.

At present, the only country implementing it is India.

Example: caste system

Social Mobility Systems: Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives
Social stratification involves various perspectives such as the functionalist and
conflict points of view. In a functionalist view of stratification, all factors
involved within the social structure are seen as functional aspects that maintain
social balance and equilibrium.
Meanwhile, a conflict perspective of stratification implies that society is in
constant conflict, especially with the distribution of resources, due to the existence
of inequality where higher-ranking people are given priority and importance than
lower ones.
Social Inequality and the Social Mobility System

Inequality be
tween open
and closed
systems must
be seen as
different in
terms of
underlying
factors.
Inequalities in
an open
system would
involve socioeconomic
concerns.
Meanwhile,
inequalities in
a closed system may involve power and cultural relations. Responding to such
inequalities in a closed system would be relatively unsuccessful compared to
responding in an open system.

Key Points

Social mobility is the horizontal or vertical movement from one social status
to another by individuals or groups. -** Intragenerational mobility** specifies
vertical or horizontal movement of social status in the course of ones
lifespan.

Intergenerational mobility refers to movement of social status across

several generations.

A** class system** is an open system where status is achieved from merit or
effort.

A *caste system *is a closed system where membership is ascribed at birth.

Social inequality is evident in both systems; however, it is the class system

that can easily address and resolve these inequalities.