MHU 251 - Health Disparities in the U.S. and Beyond (=SOC 251)

In 2010, a male born here in Mecklenburg County could expect to live 77 years. That same year in McDowell County, West Virginia-a little over three hours from Davidson-a male baby could only expect to live 64 years. Between 1987 and 2006, AIDS mortality rates in the U.S. fell for white men and increased only slightly for white women, but tripled for black women.  Why is time so unequal in America? Why are some groups burdened with higher mortality or more years lived with sickness? How do health disparities relate to other forms of inequality in the U.S.? And how do our health disparities compare to those of other nations? This course relies on peer-reviewed journal articles and an edited anthology covering major topics in social determinants of health and the production of health disparities to address these and related questions. While the emphasis will be on the U.S., we will consider the pattern of health disparities and social determinants of health in other countries.

Satisfies a major requirement in Sociology

Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement in Medical Humanities

Students entering 2012 and after: satisfies Social-Scientific Thought distribution requirement

Students entering before 2012: satisfies social science distribution requirement

Prerequisites & Notes