Health refers to the extent of a person’s physical, mental, and social well-

being. Health care refers to the provision of medical services to prevent,

diagnose, and treat health problems.

The functionalist perspective emphasizes that good health and effective medical
care are essential for the smooth functioning of society. Patients must perform the “sick role”
in order to be perceived as legitimately ill and to be exempt from their normal obligations.
The physician-patient relationship is hierarchical: The physician provides instructions, and
the patient needs to follow them.

Structural Functionalist viewed

social stratification and income inequality influences quality of health care

The conflict approach emphasizes inequality in the quality of health and of health-care delivery
(Weitz, 2013).Weitz, R. (2013). People from disadvantaged social backgrounds are more likely to
become ill, and once they do become ill, inadequate health care makes it more difficult for them
to become well.

It has been known for some time that there are inequalities in health; for example, life expectancy
in certain geographical areas is much lower than in others (Mackenbach, Karanikolos & McKee,
2013). Poverty is a big factor in health outcomes, as it is correlated with a number of other issues
including poor housing, nutrition and education, limited access to health care, fitness and advice.
From a Marxist point of view, poor health is caused directly by capitalism, as with a different
societal structure there would be no poverty