ABSTRACT
This chapter provides students with a conceptual framework for examining the role of social determinants on health within Australia. Here health sociology is used to provide a framework for understanding the social contexts of health, illness and healthcare. Students will be introduced to a range of topics related to health and wellbeing, including political, economic and environmental circumstances fostering ill health. Students will also explore societal forces constraining the healthcare system and individuals’ responses to health and illness in Australia. The social determinants of health will be connected to diversity via discussion about how diverse populations have varying experience with social determinants of health. Finally, this chapter introduces students to the concept of intersectionality: how multiple kinds of difference can intersect in historically specific contexts, and how this in turn impacts on experiences of healthcare and health outcomes. Given that environmental concerns are increasingly impacting our health, this aspect of social determinants will receive mention here as well as receive attention throughout the text by reflection boxes.
