Medical Sociology Notes

9/28/16
Race does not exist according to sociologist
Thomas theorem-what people believe is real and alter their behavior to fit it

Race is a socially constructed division based on physical characteristics

Ethnicity is a shared cultural heritage
Dominant group is power and prestige, more representation
Red lining, when people who arent white get less privilege as in bad housing
or poor mortgage rates
Ethnocentrism is the assumption that ones own group and way of life is
superior to all others
Prejudice is the belief of attitude
Discrimination is the treatment or action
Race as a social problem
Quality of health and healthcare
Classifications of race used for political, economic, and social purposes
Dominant groups discriminate because they have more power
Dominance can lead to OTHER PEOPLE defining YOUR REALITY
This socially constructed dominance allows the powerful to discriminate and
scapegoat which ultimately affects YOUR HEALTH
Race-Black Americans
Significantly more blacks than whites have hypertension
Multiple reasons are suggested:

Genetic predisposition
Physical exertion
Associated disorders
Psychological stress
Dietary patterns
Poorer medical care

Health disparities between blacks and whites point to the importance of

socioeconomic factors

Poverty
Marginal employment
Low incomes
Segregated living conditions
Inadequate education

All of these are more common among blacks than whites are features of
socioeconomic stratification known to cause poor health
Race-Hispanic Americans

Hispanic paradox

Hispanics have lower mortality rates than non-Hispanic whites at most

ages despite their lower socioeconomic status and levels and health
insurance in the united states
Population is younger than other racial groups and may explain the
paradox

Race-Native Americans
Have experienced a significant improvement in their overall level of health, but
important problems remain. In particular, there are high rates of:

Diabetes and mortality of diabetes

Accidents
Alcoholism and alcohol related diseases
Suicide
Race-Asian Americans

Overall, Asians and pacific islanders are the healthiest racial group in American
society when mortality rates are considered
Demonstrates importance of socioeconomic status

Asian Americans have the highest levels of income, education, and

employment of any racial/ethnic minority in the U.S
Race and Theory

Functionalism

Institutions foster achievement in minorities by helping them to accept

dominant cultural patters

Conflict Theory

Reduced through struggle and political action

Discrimination in the workplace must be reduced
Solutions-only found through gov. programs that actively attack and reduce
discrimination

Symbolic Interactionism

Learned Behavior! Thus we can unlearn it!

Contact hypothesis!