The Experience of Illness

Illness, sometimes considered another word for disease, refers to a state of poor health.

Disparities in health services play out based on different systems of stratification, such as gender.

Health disparities refer to gaps in the quality of health and healthcare across racial and ethnic groups.

Social class has a significant impact on one's physical health, ability to receive adequate medical care and nutrition, and life expectancy.

Health literacy is an individual's ability to read, understand and use healthcare information to make decisions about treatment.

Historically and in many parts of the world, women's participation in the profession of medicine has been significantly restricted.