In our society, one's social class, race, ethnicity, gender and age all play a vital role in determining their health status.
Social class is directly related to one's health. The lower classes tend to have higher rates of mortality and disability. The low-income families, suffer from crowded living conditions, poor diet and stress, which all contribute to many illnesses. The middle-to-upper class families face fewer health issues, because they"re better able to afford proper health care.
Race and ethnicity are another reason why minorities face many health related problems. African-Americans have higher death rates due to cancer, pneumonia, and diabetes. Racial tensions also contribute to medical problems of blacks. As in stress, it sometimes a result of racial prejudice, which causes hypertension and results in a high mortality rate (Schaefer, p.398).
Gender is another critical factor in determining one's health status. According to studies, women have a greater risk of illnesses, but yet live longer then men. Women turn to medicine for things like beauty treatment, birth, and such medicalization may contribute to a high morbidity rate(Schaefer P.398). .
With age come many illnesses. The elderly are troubled by arthritis , and many face visual and hearing impairments. They"re also more vulnerable to severe mental problems. .
Social class, gender, age, race and ethnicity all are important determinants of a individual's or a social classes health status.