Health and inequality: contemporary challenges and patterns

Article Name: Health an Inequality

Acritical Link: http://www.healthscotland.scot/health-inequalities/what-are-health-inequalities

1. Describe the main social problem discussed in the article

The article discusses the social problems related to health inequality, wage stagnation, and lower wealth. Here, the developed world is grappling with the nation of stagnating incomes and its impact on society overall. This has a direct impact on the health of individuals within the nation. As it relates to health inequality, experts have looked to address costs in a litany of ways. The first, and most high-profile method is through raising the minimum wage, tax breaks and more. However, event with these initiatives, income inequality remains the highest in nearly 4 decades. This is a social problem as it creates a higher likelihood of increased healthcare expenditures for middle- and lower-class citizens. From a healthcare perspective this impacts society as the social cost of higher crime will be paid by all of society in the form of higher taxes, higher insurance costs, lower safety, and an unraveling of societal norms. Simply put an unhealthy population can quickly become an unruly population. History is littered with instances of those unable to obtain proper healthcare committing insidious acts and murders against society.

The article also explains that the rising costs of social programs such as healthcare programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and social security are all subject to insolvency as the workforce can not take further tax increases to prop up these programs. This ultimately creates a long-term social issue as it relates to the nation’s healthcare programs. This social problem could potentially result in higher crime, a higher retirement age, higher debt burdens to supplement income, and lower incomes. In addition, it creates issues related to access to care and affordability. From a social perspective, these issues have given rise to new political organizations designed to help take many of the issues caused by healthcare inequality. Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, for example, has risen in popularity due in part to the issue presented in the article. Unions are beginning to rise to help properly combat the issues related to higher costs healthcare costs and lower treatment outcomes.

2. Identify if or how a sociological perspective is present in the way the article presents the issue or problem; if so, what is it?

Yes, the sociological perspective related to health inequality and its ramifications for society are present within the article. The author frames these issues from a much longer-term perspective as these issues have the potential to disrupt the social fabric of the nation. For one, the rise of socialism and its acceptance within the nation is particularly alarming according to the article. Likewise, the social unrest related to initiatives such as “Occupy Wall Street” have created a groundswell of support for these economic issues. From a healthcare perspective, the “Fight for 15”was another initiative designed to help improve healthcare outcome for people of lower- and middle-class demographics.

3. Choose one sociological concept or theory that would improve the content or context provided about that issue or problem (this includes defining the concept)