Part 1- Social Science and Health

Social Science is a fundamental branch of the liberal arts and is defined as the scientific study of individuals, communities, societies, and social relationships.  Although the field of health most heavily aligns with psychology and sociology, the field of health is largely interdisciplinary and has connections with a number of other disciplines within the social sciences, in addition.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) describes social sciences in health as “the study of the consequences of health and illness at the family, community, and societal levels, and the study of the social, cultural, and institutional factors influencing the nature and extent of consequences for individuals.”

The Discipline of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Health, studies human behavior and society, particularly within the context of health services, policy, and the social environment. It is focused on thinking holistically and critically about human health and where human behavior and society intersect with health and healthcare. ^[1]

Social and behavioral health sciences involve:

· Understanding the psychosocial, behavioral, community, and societal influences on the health of a specific population, including those who are disadvantaged

· Creating interventions that eliminate specific barriers to health across the lifespan

· Understanding how biological factors influence health, illness, and recovery

· Identifying risk factors that result in adverse health outcomes and strategies for promoting health and preventing disease.^[2]

Social Science and Public Health

Although the linkage between health and social sciences has been evident for over one hundred years, it has taken time for the alignment to be recognized. One of the clearest linkages between social science and health is with public health. The field is focused on improving the living conditions for people around the world. Those in public health work at the community or population level. The impact can be local or global.

Writings dating back to 1920 document the connection between public health and social science. In 1920, CEA Winslow wrote, “Public Health is the science and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts for the sanitation of the environment, the control of community infections, the education of the individual in principles of personal hygiene, the organization of medical and nursing services for the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of disease, and the development of the social machinery which will ensure to every individual in the community a standard of living adequate for the maintenance of health.” ^[3]

The Institute of Medicine states that: “The mission of public health is “the fulfillment of society’s interest in assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy.”^[4]

“Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play.” ^[5]

“Together, the [Surgeon General’s] reports of the past four decades have expanded the very meaning of public health. They show that the definition of public health is not fixed but has changed over time, and changed the practice of medicine, as well, to include areas such as human behavior and mental health. That fact has broad implications for our understanding of health and risk, personal pleasure and social norms, science and moral standards, and individual freedoms and public policy.”^[6]

Health and Psychology

Health psychology focuses on how health is affected by the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. This particular approach is known as the biopsychosocial model (Figure). Health psychologists are interested in helping individuals achieve better health through public policy, education, intervention, and research. Health psychologists might conduct research that explores the relationship between one’s genetic makeup, patterns of behavior, relationships, psychological stress, and health. They may research effective ways to motivate people to address patterns of behavior that contribute to poorer health.

The biopsychosocial model suggests that health/illness is determined by an interaction of these three factors.^[7]