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Difference Between Health And Social Class

Decent Essays

Variations in health and inequality have always been the subject of debates and studies throughout the last century; explanations varied from: our lifestyles, our ethnicity, and even our gender. So why after 100 years of studying this worldwide phenomenon, and producing detailed statistical evidence, with well-informed debates are we still living in a society where inequality in health still exists? One would expect with so much progress in medicine, vast improvements in our living/housing standards; raised awareness and understanding of issues relating to our cultural and genetic profiles, that this inequality would be on par with how society has overcome other inequalities including race and gender. Have we done enough by trying to explain this in terms of the Genetics, Cultural, or Material variants? Or are they all correct, and this kind of inequality in our society is something that is inevitable?
Health and ill health on the basis of Cultural/Behaviour is explained as having direct relationships with social class and how their actions determine their health. According to (Bourdieu 1984) Life expectancy amongst people in high social class standing was because of their “inclination towards a cult of health-consciousness and their appearance of the body: the body as a thing displayed to others…and a high value being placed on moderate drinking and careful diet.” What Bourdeau is suggesting is that our lifestyle is determined by our culture, and seems to be suggesting

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