One of the reasons for this is that the high social classes can afford private healthcare. Their level of income is also much higher which then also results in a better lifestyle and housing. People who were in poorly paid jobs meant they had poor housing and less money to provide nutritious food, heating, medicine and general healthcare.
The Black Report came up with four different sociological explanations that affect the health of individuals. These are:
- The Statistical Artefact Explanation
This explanation stated that even though it seems as if people from low social classes – unskilled workers – have the poorest health, this is deceptive. Because this social class group is such a small and declining group, it is pointless to compare them to other social classes. Other reports, - Acheson Report - however, attempted to bring the two lowest social classes together in order to create a bigger working class. This was done in order to effectively compare them to the middle class to clearly show the health gap that is still growing.
- Natural or Social Selection
This view states that social class is not a factor which can influence your health but rather your health which is an influence on what social class you would be categorised in. For example, being in a low social class could be the result of ill-healthiness preventing you from keeping a middle-class job.
- Cultural or Behavioural Explanations
This explanation says that a person’s individual lifestyle is the major factor when it comes down to their health. Being ill may be linked to lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking or drinking. Evidence states that the working class is more likely to be involved in risky behaviours like smoking and drinking – especially males. They also have a poor diet by not eating healthy enough and consuming more food which is high in fat, sugar and salt – junk food. A lack of exercise is also included. These lifestyles are linked to illnesses such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and chest conditions.
This approach blames the working class for their high rates of mortality and morbidity and claims that the middle class have a healthier lifestyle thus a higher life expectancy.
- Materialistic or Structural Explanations
This view presents that the working class is in a worse state than the middle class. This is due to the lack of money and poor housing, unhealthy and dangerous working conditions, and living in a depressing and run down area. This approach is seeing the working class as victims of a society which is unfair and prejudiced. Being ill, for example, would not be their fault but would be the result of factors such as:
- Low income: which can lead to a poor diet due to fresh food having higher prices than processed food;
- Poor housing: which means they can suffer from conditions such as asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis due to damp and cold living conditions;
- Poor working conditions: which means they are more likely to become injured in the workplace or in some cases result in death. Factories and building sites – where working class are more likely to work – are more dangerous workplaces compared to middle class work environments, for example schools and offices.
Gender and patterns of health and illness
In almost all countries, men have a shorter lifespan compared to women. It has been shown by research that females averagely live up to the age of 81while males up to 76. In general, the overall life expectancy for both genders continues to increase, like it has been doing for the past 30 years. In England and Wales in 2002 the gap between men’s and women’s life expectancy had reduced to 4.5 years from 6.4 years on 1974. This was due to the decline in smoking and excess drinking of alcohol.
Women are however more likely to visit the doctor, go to a hospital, have operations and have days off sick from work. They also tend to take more medication and are more likely to admit that they suffer from an illness or condition.
It is argued by many feminists that women suffer from the overload of being responsible for their paid work, their housework, taking care of the children and having to deal with emotional issues within the family. This is called the triple shift. This can result in women suffering from mental conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress. Not receiving enough support from their partner or the extended family can lead to physical and mental health problems. Another thing is that women are much more likely to suffer from poverty compared to men due to single parenthood and not earning enough money. Poverty is a factor which can affect health as well due to it resulting in a lack of healthy food, living in a cold and damp house or lack of money for exercise.
Despite all these factors, women still manage to live longer than men. Many reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to seek medical help, can be the reason for this. Men also tend to drink and smoke more and exercise less. Women tend to be much more aware of health issues. Men also tend to work in more hazardous environments as their occupation, like construction and factory work, which can be dangerous for their health. Men tend to be more risky by driving fast and taking part in dangerous sports, which is more associated to early death. They are also more likely to use drugs, and more and more men are catching sexually transmitted diseases. Over 35,000 men in the UK have been diagnosed with HIV and over 15,000 have been diagnosed with AIDS.
Men are also increasingly becoming obese and overweight. In 2002, 47% of all men were overweight and 21% were obese, compared to 15% in 1994. This trend is more common among the manual, semi-skilled, unskilled and unemployed men who are also linked to poorer diets and a lack of exercise.
Men are also much more prone to suffering and dying from heart diseases, bronchitis, lung cancer and accidents or other violent deaths. Between women, however, breast cancer, cervix cancer and uterus cancer are some great causes of mortality. Breast cancer is a very common cause of death between women aged under 65 in the UK. They are also much more likely to use health-care facilities and tend to look after themselves more than men by regularly visiting the dentist for a simple check-up.
- Genetic Explanation – Nature
One of the keys is the genetic explanations that women suffer from ill-health due to biological differences which are owed. Women often need to consult doctors about pregnancy, menstruation, menopause and contraception. Whereas men tend to suffer and die from heart disease till at least the age of 50.
This explanation looks at the statistics which are constructed. Thus, due to the role women have in a family, they are more likely to be in contact with health services compared to men. However, this does not mean they are less healthy than men.
- Behavioural or Cultural Explanation
This explanation shows that men are likely to die earlier in general due to them being more involved in risk-taking behaviour which includes violence and are careless about their habits and diet. Men also tend to smoke and drink more alcohol than women.
- Materialistic or Structural Explanation
This view is more focused on structural factors which affect the health of both genders. It states that the differences in rates of mortality and morbidity in both genders are results of their different roles in society, their positions and experiences.
For example, most women just accept the responsibility of having to look after the children and the health of the others in the family. A lot of feminist writers argue on the gender inequalities like poor pay and more exposure to poverty and poor housing – especially between single mothers. These are the materialistic issues, which are the focus of the feminist ideas. Men, however, work more in hazardous environments such as mining, construction industry, diving, military and factories which use heavy machinery.
