SOC 3769 - Social Disparities in Health

The purpose of this course will be to examine the link between social position and health patterns in the US population. Two central questions will be addressed: (1) Which groups in society are more or less advantaged in terms of health and longevity? Why are certain groups in society more or less advantaged in terms of health and longevity? To answer these questions, we will begin with an introduction to social epidemiology, mind-body-society processes, and key 2 health-related concepts and methodologies. The bulk of the semester will be devoted to understanding how social position (and socially patterned conditions) might contribute to health and longevity patterns. Specific topics include socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, aging, family, religious involvement, and neighborhood context.