Sick Society: Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities in the United States

3 units

Improving the health of the U.S. population and reducing disparities in health are national priorities. To reach these goals, much research has sought to determine the factors that influence health status beyond health care quality and access. This course explores the broad area of study termed the social determinants of health while placing special emphasis on the exploration of health disparities in the United States. The course will examine the social conditions that relate to the health of populations, paying particular attention to how patterns of health vary by social class, race/ethnicity, and gender. The course will also consider mechanisms that produce and maintain these differences. In addition to sociology, students will draw upon the work of multiple disciplines, including public health, demography, anthropology, public policy, economics, and medicine to understand what makes our populations sick and what might make them better. The class will be taught through an active learning approach, with class discussions, small group work, presentations, and critical writing assignments being central to the learning process. Student participation through reading and discussions is essential for both the success of the class and individual student learning. While this course has no specific prerequisites, some familiarity with sociologicla analysis is strongly recommended. Graduate students should enroll in the 500-level offering.