sociology of globalization and health

midterm

social determinants of health

the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, including the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life

human rights globalization

the process by which the idea and protection of human rights, the basic rights and freedoms that belong to all people—have become recognized, promoted and enforced across the world, rather than being limited to individual countries

neoliberalism

an economic and political philosophy that emphasizes free markets, privatization, deregulation, and reduced government spending

telecommunications act (1966)

limited restrictions on corporate ownership of local media outlets, ongoing regulatory concerns, deregulation of public media

declaration of alma ata

identified primary healthcare as the key to attain health for all, health is a fundamental human right, need a better use of the world’s resources to attain goal of health equality between countries

non-communicable diseases

such as diseases of despair, chronic illnesses that can not be spread from person to person

health as a public good

health benefits everyone in society and should be protected and promoted collectively, not treated as something only individuals are responsible for or can buy

world health organization

a UN agency designed to help promote international public health, implement policies relating to global health

commercial determinants of health

the systems, practices, and pathways through which commercial actors drive health and equity

structural power

power that comes from controlling the systems, institutions and structures that shape how others act and what choices are available to them

productive power

power that comes from shaping ideas, meanings, and identities — how people understand themselves and the world

GDP

measures the total economic output of products in a country over a specific period of time, typically a year, used to measure the size and health of a country’s economy

gross national happiness

measures the collective happiness and well-being of a population, rather than only the value of goods and services produced (like GDP does)

othering

a set of dynamics, processes, and structures that cause persistent inequality across any of the full range of human differences based on group identities (ex. religion, sex, race, etc.)

inequality

unequal access to resources, opportunities, or outcomes among various groups of people

“deaths of dispair”

deaths caused by suicide, drug-overdose, or alcohol related disease, linked to diseases of despair and mental health/hopelessness and social or economical distress

the hurry virus

a metaphor used to describe a cultural condition of constant busyness, rushing, and stress in modern life

time poverty

describes people whose disposable incomes are high enough to keep them out of material poverty, but only because they work long hours and don’t have enough time

infodemic

an overabundance of information that spreads quickly during a crisis that makes it hard to distinguish between what is accurate or not

preventative/protective care

medical services/lifestyle practices that help prevent against illness, disease, or injury before they happen, rather than treating them after they occur

system thinking

a way of understanding the world by looking at how different parts of a system are connected and interact — rather than viewing them in isolation

deregulation

reducing or removing government rules and restrictions on businesses, industries, or economic activities

global health paradox

refers to the growing diseases of affluence/globalization/despair, global rise in non-communicable diseases, and the idea that growing inequality is reversing previous health gains

technological utopianism

the belief that technology can create a perfect or ideal society

privitization

transferring ownership or control of a business, service, or resource from the government (public sector) to private individuals or companies (private sector)

epidemic of loneliness

the widespread increase in feelings of social isolation, disconnection, and lack of meaningful relationships across societies — especially in wealthy, industrialized countries, grew significantly during/following the COVID-19 pandemic

primary health care

the first level of contact people have with the health system, provides essential, accessible, community-based health services that focus on prevention and treatment rather than just emergency or specialized care

consumerism

the cultural and economic phenomenon where buying and consuming goods and services is encouraged and valued, often to the point where a person’s social status/happiness is determined by their consumption 

economic globalization

global economic integration of many formerly national economies into one global economy through the exchange of goods across borders

ooga booga journalism

a term used to describe the westernized media’s sensationalized and dehumanizing portrayal of Africa

nature deficit disorder

a term used to describe the negative effects on children (and adults) caused by spending less time outdoors in natural environments

urbanization

the process by which more people move from rural areas to cities, causing cities to grow in population and physical size

medical industrial complex

the network of corporations and institutions in the healthcare system that profit from medical services, technology, and pharmaceuticals, sometimes prioritizing profit over patients’ health

international monetary fund (IMF)

a global financial institution that provides loans and economic advice to its member countries to help maintain global financial stability and economic growth