Question: Health Issues, Lifestyle Choice, and Social Justice
Consider general access to care, wellness practices, maintenance of health and prevention of illness, and treatment of illness (disease management). Briefly compare differences in scope (the extent and relevance to the issue of social justice) of two health conditions facing Americans today (obesity, chronic pain, tobacco use, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, et cetera). Be sure to describe the demographics of the two populations you choose. Cite readings to support your claims.
• What kinds of early intervene strategies might social workers employ in their engagement with the two populations you chose to analyze, particularly in the context of social justice?
• What are the American mindsets about the two issues you identified?
• How can social workers influence these mindsets?