Changing Framework of Sociology of Health and Treatment: Few Retrospections

The sociology of health and illness has a long history. Over the last 100 years, many concepts, theories, findings have been explored for the better understanding of health behaviour of human being and the role of the society. Majority of the theories and approaches relating to the health and illness have been originally propounded by the Western sociologists only. Even today researchers in developing countries are heavily depending on the Western theories to explain health culture and behaviour of the rural community. In developing countries social class, caste, gender and others play a vital role in accessing suitable healthcare facilities. More than these, the underlying social, political and economic forces are also counting a lot. It is found that sociology of health and illness significantly helps us in better understanding of people's concepts about onset of various diseases and its cure in a cross-cultural framework. This paper gives a solid platform to discuss about changing phenomenon of sociology of medicine India.