Marxist Approach:
This approach strongly believes that health and social care services provided in society only serve the interest of the more presiding social classes rather than those of the patients. This is because doctors and other health professionals are viewed as the agents of the ruling class hence, they ensure the labour force or proletariat are healthy by treating them from their illness as soon possible. Their main role is to provide company owners with a healthy workforce. In addition to all this, the government allows unhealthy products such as junk food and tobacco to be produced and sold in order for companies to make profits when in actual facts the ruling class is benefitting from the issues of illness. Large firms, factories and large cars pollute the atmosphere and environment as they as they continue to produce toxic waste creating the same problem of ill health as being concerned with the differences in social class. People in poor areas, who have a high level of unemployment and whose environments have been polluted face a higher level of illness and a lower life expectancy. The government does little to tackle the issues of the root causes of health and change situations as it will cost a lot of money.
Interactionist approach:
This approach looks at society in 3 levels. 1. The subjective (based on interpretation) experience of health and illness: this process is about people’s different meanings of health and how they define themselves as ill. For example, Keith and Kate both have a headache. Keith might define this as he is ill and so will have to see a doctor while Kate on the other hand may view this as a normal thing hence will drink lots of water and have some rest which will make her fine. 2. The social consequence of health and illness: this process is the interaction between the health professional and a patient. This looks