<P> The sociology of health and illness, alternatively the sociology of health and wellness (or simply health sociology), examines the interaction between society and health . The objective of this topic is to see how social life affects morbidity and mortality rate, and vice versa . This aspect of sociology differs from medical sociology in that this branch of sociology discusses health and illness in relation to social institutions such as family, employment, and school . The sociology of medicine limits its concern to the patient - practitioner relationship and the role of health professionals in society . The sociology of health and illness covers sociological pathology (causes of disease and illness), reasons for seeking particular types of medical aid, and patient compliance or noncompliance with medical regimes . </P> <P> Health, or lack of health, was once merely attributed to biological or natural conditions . Sociologists have demonstrated that the spread of diseases is heavily influenced by the socioeconomic status of individuals, ethnic traditions or beliefs, and other cultural factors . Where medical research might gather statistics on a disease, a sociological perspective on an illness would provide insight on what external factors caused the demographics who contracted the disease to become ill . </P> <P> This topic requires a global approach of analysis because the influence of societal factors varies throughout the world . This will be demonstrated through discussion of the major diseases of each continent . These diseases are sociologically examined and compared based on the traditional medicine, economics, religion, and culture that is specific to each region . HIV / AIDS serves as a common basis of comparison among regions . While it is extremely problematic in certain areas, in others it has affected a relatively small percentage of the population . Sociological factors can help to explain why these discrepancies exist . </P>

Role of social factors in health and illness
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