Unit 2 Journal
Medical Sociology
Frank DeMers
For this entry consider the social sources of morbidity and mortality. You may consider the following questions:
- How are you (your fictional character) affected by the distribution of food? In other words, is food plentiful in your society, do you have the wealth needed to buy a healthy diet?
- How are you (your fictional character) affected by the distribution of food? In other words, is food plentiful in your society, do you have the wealth needed to buy a healthy diet? How do cultural forces affect how you consume food? For example, how does nationality, social class, ethnic group, age, gender, and more affect how you consume food?
- Consider a day in your life… what transport is available to you, if you’re employed what are the conditions of your working environment? At home, what sort of proximate environmental factors affect you?
- As you consider all these points, be sure to reflect on how these material factors affect your health… are you affected in adverse or positive ways?
When considering this from Sam’s point of view, I find that he has access to sufficient sources of food. He does however face some social challenges that may cause some difficulties with obtaining food that would support a healthy diet. Sam is working part time at a grocery store so the supply of food is readily available. His income and current social status are probable contributing causes of issues with access to food.
Sam as a white twenty – year old male from a middle – class background had good nutrition through his early youth and until he had moved out from his family home. He currently has no health issues related to malnutrition or insufficient access to food.
When Sam was attending college full time, he had access to food at the cafeteria. There were many food options, but as often the case Sam would choose the foods that were readily available. He would often select food that was quick to grab so that he didn’t have to wait in long lines. In many cases this consisted of fried and fatty foods. Sam did notice that he had started to gain some weight during his freshman year so he did make an effort to increase his exercise routine and to be more selective with his food choices. Sam’s current challenges though may start to influence his health. He has a high level of stress. His income has currently been impacted by the relatively low wages he is paid and the fact that he is working part time.
Sam is experiencing economic challenges as his part time work doesn’t cover his expenses. He has to pay rent and part of the utilities for his shared apartment, he has to pay for fuel, maintenance and other costs for his vehicle. He also has to pay for his tuition costs and when he can, he tries to help his family with bills. With all of these expenses he doesn’t have much money available for food. His roommates do sometimes go in together to buy food, but that usually consists of pizza or takeout /delivery of fast food. As with many young males of this age group alcohol consumption is also a factor. One of Sam’s roommates is over twenty -one and they all “party” at times with their peers. Sam does enjoy spending time with his friends but he really is not into the party scene.
When Sam is working he will often pick up some food before he leaves work. He does sometimes have time concerns due to classes or when he has scheduled time to drive for Lyft. Although he is aware of healthier eating options, he does find that fresh produce, lower fat foods and healthier food options are often more expensive than prepared foods. He has also found that his roommates will sometimes grab some of his food if he leaves it. The roommates are supposed to share but they tend to buy fast food meals that are not very nutritious.
Sam has his own car and has ready access to sources of food. His working environment is generally safe, he does stocking work, some general cleanup in the store and he is sometimes assigned to the checkout area of the store. He does have some current concerns at work due to the current Covid -19 pandemic. He is exposed to a large number of people every day. He has been taking appropriate precautions whenever possible. He wears a face mask, tries to maintain social distancing, and to follow other preventative measures.
As Sam is now twenty he is becoming more aware of some of the current and future life challenges he may be facing. His mother’s relapse and the financial challenges his family has faced recently have both made him more conscious of his spending habits. He is trying to save money to pay for his previous student loans and to cover his community college tuition. Although Sam’s father had a steady income from his business, current circumstances have made that more uncertain. His mother had worked part time as a medical receptionist, she is currently on leave due to her illness.
Sam has tried to be more aware of his health and of his eating habits, his level of stress though is a potential contributing factor that could begin to effect his health.
