Question

describe Phelan's theory of fundamental causes, and how does this theory help us conceptualize the relationship between socioeconomic status and disease outcomes

Answer 1

Phelan and Link developed the theory of fundamental causes, to prove the association between the disease and the socioeconomic status of a person, they found out a relation that poor and less privileged people are having high mortality rate and die at a younger age.

They pointed out that the people from lower-status lack resources due to poor economical condition, and lack of beneficial social connection.

Although science has improved new inventions are made to detect the disease at an earlier stage but these people are unable to make use of these facilities due to lack of resources. Previously the main cause of death was tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhea, but these are now treatable.

Whenever the new diseases are detected, and research is done to find its remedy, these poor people cannot utilize these remedies and take its benefit as the main cause is their poor economic condition.

Poor hygiene, lack of proper food, and poor lifestyle make them more prone to the disease that is even preventable.

Power and prestige are two main factors that make a rich and powerful person make use of all the modern technologies and preventive measures and remain healthy. While a poor person lacks any political support or power and cannot make use of modern technology.

This phenomenon is valid throughout the world the SES directly affects personal health. Lack of resources create anxiety, low education, poor health, no proper food, and to avoid all these the person takes help of alcohol, drug, and smoking to keep himself away from the socioeconomic condition and worries, in fact, it makes him more vulnerable to various kind of diseases as the immune power reduces and poor health give rise to multiple disease and mortality rate are found higher in these people, who are having low in SES (socioeconomic status)

The resources, benefits, and favor are related to the SES of a person. The person with higher SES will have resources and relationships with powerful and wealthy people and politicians, he can manage to make use of modern technologies, have a healthy lifestyle, and keep himself away from preventable diseases.

While poor people lack all these power, money, resources, they revolve around the vicious circle of poor economic conditions that make them physically, emotionally and mentally sick.