Chapter 11: Health in Society

What is health?
In every society, each has their own concept of what is good health. According to the constitution
of the World Health Organization (WHO, 1948), HEALTH is defined as a state of combined
physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease. An individual that
is free from illness, injury, and pain in both mind and body as well as having good relationships in
the community.

Global
Health

Public
Health

Population
Health

Personal
Health

Four Different Aspects of Health

1. Physical Health
It is determined not only the basis of absence of a serious health condition but also on
individual lifestyle choices. (ie. Participation in physical activities, having a balanced diet
and healthy digestion, etc.).

2. Social Health
It is the ability to develop healthy relationships with others and the ability to adjust to and
behave appropriately in different social situations.
A person must possess:
i. Good communication and listening skills
ii. Concernment
iii. Sense of commitment and accountability
A person must NOT possess:
i. Inability to control anger and hatred
ii. Self-centeredness
 iii. Vindictiveness

3. Psychosocial Health
It is a state of mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
A person who is:
i. Optimistic
ii. Recognizes the importance of social interaction
iii. Enjoys the company of friends
iv. A good sport
v. Responsible
All these positive traits give the person a sense of purpose and awareness of individual and
community needs. Simply, a purpose in life.

4. Spiritual Health
It is to have a purpose in life. Aside from spiritual activities (ie. praying, going to mass,
meditations, etc.), the practice of compassion, resilience, respectfulness, maintaining
healthy lifestyle leads to a positive, hopeful and peaceful a spiritually healthy individual.

Lesson 2: The Roles That Health and Healthcare Play Within A Society

Structural Functionalism
A theory that agues that society is made up of various parts, each with a specific function that work
for society’s survival.

Talcott Parsons
Sick Role – it demonstrated that within a society, those who are ill have particular rights
and responsibilities: Right not to be blamed; Responsibility to seek medical health. A form of
sanctioned deviance, or an accepted breaking from normal behavior.

Medical professionals play a crucial role in managing and treating any individual in any health
condition.

Symbolic Interaction
A theory that examines how people create meaning to define health and sickness through their
social interaction with others.

Medicalization of Deviance, or the social process of redefining a bad behavior as sick behavior.
 Conflict Theory
It implies that the economic and political structures of society create social inequalities and
conflicts. Class conflicts within the healthcare system and the imbalances of power and resources.
Poor Rich

Unfavored Favored

Lesson 3: Health as a Human Right

United Nations – an international peacekeeping organization
Basic Rights of a an individual:
 Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
 Article 12 of the International Covenant of Economics
 Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
 Article 5 of the Convention in the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination
 Article 12 and 14 of the Convention in the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination Against Women
 Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, which
includes access to all medical services, sanitation, adequate food, decent housing, healthy working
condition and a clean environment” - nesri.org

Healthcare systems:
 Hospitals
 Clinics
 Government owned facilities
 Medicines
 Doctors
 Nurses
 Other healthcare providers

Human Rights Standards that an individual should have:

 Universal Access – access to affordable and comprehensive health care
 Availability - adequate health facilities, supplies and services. And trained service
providers in all communities particularly in resource-poor neighborhoods
 Adequate Healthcare Infrastructures- Hospitals, Community health facilities, etc.
 Acceptability and Dignity – service providers must respect and provide culturally-
appropriate care to patients, must be responsive to their needs regardless of sex, gender,
age and culture.
 Quality – healthcare must be medically-appropriate, of good quality
 Non-discrimination – regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexuality, disability
and etc.
 Transparency – health information must be provided and made easily accessible to
everyone
 Participation – everyone must be able to take an active role in decisions that affect their
own health
 Accountability – government and the private sector must be held accountable for protecting
the right to healthcare of everyone by monitoring, evaluating and ensuring that human
rights standards are enforced and violations are addressed.
