Why does a sociologist study health, disease and medicine? This course attempts to analyze the health care system and illness in society from a sociological perspective. Health care is changing indeed, and new structures and institutions are being created by the health care industry, government, and private insurance companies and individuals.

Students will be able to learn about the "killers" and illnesses of society (heart disease, cancer, AIDS, suicide, etc.) In reviewing and looking at epidemiological table of such diseases, we will look at the psycho-social risk factors of these diseases and killers. Other aspects of our environment and life styles will be reviewed as they impact on illness.

Since illness effects families, we will analyze the sick role, its impact on family relationships (such as divorce, long term health care facilities, the elderly, poverty, etc.) Other social problems such as poverty, mental illness, suicide, AIDS, and single parents will be analyzed revealing their significant impact on human behavior, children, family structure, government regulations, and the costs to society.

Many changes have occurred in the distribution of health care in America, and this course will review the causes and consequences of such changes in health care today focusing on the changing role of the doctor patient relationship, financing the health care system today, and the impact of ageism on health care in general.

This course is especially good for students wanting jobs in the health care industry (including business, social work, educating and nursing students).