Social Change

Definition

• Acknowledges the importance of socio-economic conditions e.g. social class and income factors that influence health, recognises the respobility of government to take a lead in tackling health inequalities

• Top down approach with policy makers and health planners taking the lead

• Example - smoking ban in some public spaces like pubs and restuarants chnages in the law in the age for buying cigs and on the wat cigs are displayed in shops

Strengths

• Approach usually sets clear rules and regulations so people don’t have to make decision for themselves e.g. smoking ban removes choice to smoke in bars.

• Reaches very large groups of people e.g. everyone in the population is required to adhere to changes in the law

• Can be successful - people do not want to be seen as being different to everyone else in society by engaging in unacceptable behaviour

Weaknesses

• People dislike idea of “nanny style” telling what they should or should not - they may rebel against it

• People may not be happy about the decisions made for them e.g. smokers unhappy they cant smoke when having a drink in a bar

• Need a large scale approach e.g. smoking ban required expensive advertising campaign with many organization involved.

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