Health sociology | Assessment 1

Running head: HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 1
Health Sociology
Name
Institution

HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 2
Health Sociology
Question 1
What insights do post-modernist perspectives provide and what might this mean for health
practice?
Postmodernism in health is generally understood as the questioning of the cynicism, practice,
values, and thoughts that are embedded in modernity and its deficiency of self-critique (Fox,
2016). Hence, postmodernity is seen as a way of acknowledging the limitations and limits of
modernism. A post-modern perspective is one that adheres to the values of social justice,
equity, and democracy. Even so, those that embrace postmodernism perspective are always
sceptical and cautious about accepting values that are sometimes used for self-interest.
Postmodernism questions the idea that health should be given more privilege over other life
aspects. In postmodernism perspective, good health is seen as a universal social good that
constitutes not just health but holistic living.
An example of a postmodernism perspective in healthcare is the use of alternative medicine.
While demand for traditional medicine is still strong, the demand for alternative medicine has
gradually grown stronger. In Australia and around the world, the use of alternative medicine
continues to gain popularity. For example, in Australia, people are becoming into terms with
naturopaths, acupuncturists, and midwives (Ratner, 2017). There are many medical schools in
Australia which are offering courses in alternative medicine and holistic healing. Indeed,
there are insurance carriers that have started to offer reimbursement for holistic healing and
alternative medicine.

HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 3
Question 2
Despite increases in funding, explain why in Australia, Indigenous health outcomes are still
an issue? Provide examples to illustrate your argument.
Despite the effort of the Australian government to reduce the gap between the indigenous and
non-indigenous Australians health outcomes through funding, the indigenous people are still
experiencing a health crisis. Most of the aboriginal indigenous people in Australia live in
remote areas and they have a high risk of ill health behaviours such as poor access to
healthcare, smoking, and experience health issue compared to those living in metropolitan
and regional areas. The poor health outcomes are geared by the remoteness which is linked to
environmental and geographical facts which include the long-distance from health care
centres (Dalton, et al., 2015). The areas also experience occasional flooding, hence cutting
off the aboriginal people from accessing the medical services. Besides, there have been
reported shortages of health professionals. This has hindered comprehensive management
and continuous care once the patients are out of the hospital, hence no follow up sessions.
This leads to poor timely access to health care services. On the other hand, the flood pollutes
the water which leads to waterborne disease. Most indigenous people are illiterate and cannot
select the best nutrition diet especially to the infants. This is because the indigenous people
are poor and cannot afford the required diets, thus leading to chronic diseases in the future.
Illiteracy also contributes to a lack of health-related information among the indigenous
people.

HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 4
Question 3
Psychiatry can be viewed as an institute of social control. Draw on sociological theories and
examples to discuss this statement.
Psychiatry can be used in developing mental health premonition and prevent specific mental
illness through educating families, individuals, and societies. Psychiatry is a medical
specialty where a psychiatrist has legal audacity to assess and control risks on behalf of the
society within which they practice their services. According to the social exchange theory,
society is viewed as a series of interactions between a person as per the estimates of
punishments and rewards. Interactions are calculated whether they will be repeated by
estimating the possibility of reward or punishment resulting from the interaction. According
to this theory, behaviour equals rewards of interaction and fewer costs of interaction.
Therefore, the psychiatrist may apply this theory by locking up people against their will,
particularly those who are considered to be a nuisance to society (Moncrieff & Timimi,
2013). This includes locking them in psychiatric wards and sedating them. This a form of
punishment which is likely to reap rewards. When the patients behave well, the reward
involves unlocking them or discharging them. However, if the patients are doing nothing to
change their behaviours, the punishment can be instilled by using psychiatric drugs such as
anti-depressants, electroshocks, and, locking them in solitude areas.