structural functionalism theory racial stratification in healthcare

Structural functionalism theory racial stratification in healthcare drivers#

Classic sociological theories are still considered important and current, but new sociological theories build upon the work of their predecessors and add to them (Calhoun 2002). Sociological theory is constantly evolving and should never be considered complete. Grand theories attempt to explain large-scale relationships and answer fundamental questions such as why societies form and why they change. Macro-level theories relate to large-scale issues and large groups of people, while micro-level theories look at very specific relationships between individuals or small groups. Theories vary in scope depending on the scale of the issues that they are meant to explain. Protestants were more likely to commit suicide than Catholics in Durkheim’s society, and his work supports the utility of theory in sociological research. Durkheim gathered a large amount of data about Europeans who had ended their lives, and he did indeed find differences based on religion. He studied social ties within a group, or social solidarity, and hypothesized that differences in suicide rates might be explained by religion-based differences. In sociology, a theory is a way to explain different aspects of social interactions and to create a testable proposition, called a hypothesis, about society (Allan 2006).įor example, although suicide is generally considered an individual phenomenon, Émile Durkheim was interested in studying the social factors that affect it. Sociologists study social events, interactions, and patterns, and they develop a theory in an attempt to explain why things work as they do. Visit the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center for more information specific to its staff and its recent research.Figure 1.7 Sociologists develop theories to explain social occurrences such as protest rallies. Their objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and offered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world.

The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. Understanding the web-like nature of structural racism in healthcare can help inform root-cause interventions, effective policy solutions, and more rigorous research analysis.

Structural functionalism theory racial stratification in healthcare drivers#

This map highlights how structural racism is a driver of health disparities, how disparities stem from inequitable norms, values, and mental models, and how addressing structural drivers will require multipronged policy efforts.

Efforts to advance health justice must focus both within and outside of healthcare to ensure structural change.

Healthcare structures are also connected to and supported by the practices and policies of other domains, such as education, employment, immigration, and more.

Different structures within healthcare practice and policy connect in a web-like structure.

Policymakers, practitioners, advocates, and communities can use information about how specific policies and practices contribute to healthcare disparities to target structural change.

Structural racism is perpetuated not only by historical and contemporary race-based laws and policies, but also by race-neutral policies that fail to consider and correct inequitable conditions.

Targeting disparities and not their drivers lead to solutions that fail to create long-term change.

Health disparities are the result of structural racism.Efforts to account for structural racism in healthcare require an understanding of the structures and connections that reinforce disparities and must be changed to produce equitable health outcomes. Racial oppression is embedded in and across our organizations and systems and maintains inequitable structures. healthcare system contribute to inequitable and unjust health outcomes. Racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. Researchers developed a conceptual map that demonstrates connections between mental models that guide how society thinks and acts, inequitable structures, and racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare experiences and outcomes.