Critical Analysis of Course Readings on Health and Human Services

Running head: SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN SERVICES
SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN SERVICES
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1SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN SERVICES
The following paper will critically analyse three course readings by firstly providing the
significant insights offered by Germov (2014), McMurray (2012) and Thompson (2011).
Additionally, by critically analyzing these three course readings, I will present my own ideas
which I have obtained by delving into these readings.
Germov, J., 2014. Imagining health problems as social issues. Second opinion: An
introduction to health sociology, pp.5-22.
In the chapter on “Imagining health problems as social issues’, Germov (2014) introduces
the readers with the sociological perspective and the way it can be used to comprehend an
extensive range of health issues. In the view of Germov (2014), health sociology primarily sheds
light on the varied social patterns of health and illness mainly related to diverse health conditions
between men and women, and different economic status in addition to the Indigenous and non-
Indigenous populaces. The structural formation of the society and its impact on people’s health
and wellbeing has been clearly stated by Germov (2014). He claims that even though humans
have been born into a world not of their own creation but their thoughts and actions are primarily
influenced by the social structure. However, by critically analysing the underlying aspects of this
chapter, as a reader I have found that decisively understanding the structure of society will
significantly facilitate us to explore the social influences on our individualistic behavioural
patterns as well as the way we interrelate with others. Furthermore, the structure-agency debate
referred by Germov (2014) has expanded by understanding that there is no need to inevitably
assume social structure as an unconstructive mechanism, as it several ways it helps us to
strengthen our existence, by offering healthcare, protection, education and work. The factors
related to structural inequalities developed due to social differences can be overlooked. Germov
has derived insights from AIHW 2012 which revealed life expectancy figures act as rudimentary

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indicators of health inequalities among social groups within a nation (Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare 2012). The examples cited by Germov (2014) on health inequalities of
Australia’s social group has aided my understanding that the life expectancy for Australian
Indigenous tends to be around 12 years which is significantly less in comparison to the average
life expectancy of other White Australians. Similar health conditions have been found in e lowest
socio-economic groups of New Zealand, the Māori who also show poor life expectancy around
7.3 years less than the national average.
At this juncture, it is important to shed light on the insights provided by Germov that
sociological perspectives of health and illness primarily emerged before the actual development
of sociology as an academic discipline. Such an emergence universally recognized as public
health or social health has aided the domain of social work. Germov’s critique on biological
determinism has enhanced my understanding to realize how biomedicine chiefly supported the
elitist and sexist beliefs of the society and reinforces the belief that economically
disadvantageous sections are responsible for their deprived status due to their own health
conditions. Lastly, by drawing relevance from the work of Dorothy Broom, Germov has
identified social model as a term that has shed light on the social determinants of health and
illnesses. For social workers and health practitioners it is highly imperative to understand the
social model of health as it indicates that health and illness has its occurrence in a social context
and thus effective health interventions, predominantly precautionary initiatives are essential to
surpass the biomedical treatment of individuals.
The critical reflections of Germov (2014) on this chapter have given clear accounts that
sociology must not be seen as a subject to study the society. Moreover, it is important to study
theoretical implications of sociology to understand the rising complexities of health and illness