Sociological Perspectives on Health

Sociological perspectives on health examine how social factors influence well-being. The Functionalist view sees health as essential for social stability, emphasizing roles and norms that promote health. The Conflict perspective highlights how social inequalities—like poverty and race—affect access to healthcare and health outcomes, often disadvantaging marginalized groups. The Symbolic Interactionist approach focuses on individual experiences and how people perceive health, illness, and healthcare interactions. Together, these perspectives show that health is shaped not just by biology, but by social structures, relationships, and cultural meanings.