Question

Explain why physical illness is a social problem. Since quality health can be a matter of life or death, should all Americans have equal access to it, if yes, why don’t they? If no, why shouldn’t they?

Answer 1

Physical illness is a social problem as if the illness is chronic like; diabetes, coronary heart disease etc. the patient has to live with it. The treatment of the illness has an economic burden on the family. The prolonged illness may lead to emotional distress and depression in the patient. The relations in a family may be disturbed due to economic constraints. Hence Physical illness is a social problem. Since quality health can be a matter of life or death, all Americans should have equal access to it as it is a matter of justice all the citizens of America must be treated equally. Universal health coverage is not there in the USA as a major chunk of the population is uninsured due to poverty.