Application of Health Sociology Theories to Contemporary Health Issues: Inequality, Digitalisation, Stigma, and Ecological Crisis

Loso Judijanto

doi:10.59890/ijnhs.v4i3.290

Authors

Loso Judijanto IPOSS Jakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijnhs.v4i3.290

Keywords:

Health Sociology, Health Inequality, Social Determinants of Health, Health Digitalization, Stigma, Social Construction of Disease, Social Epidemiology, Intersectionalit, Pandemic, Climate

Abstract

This article discusses the application of health sociology theories in examining contemporary health issues, especially health inequalities, digitalization of health services, disease stigma, pandemics, and ecological crises. Using a qualitative literature review method, this article reviews reputable journal literature published since 2020 to formulate a conceptual framework connecting functionalism theory, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, social constructionism, social epidemiology, intersectionality, and the social determinants of health perspective. The study shows that health cannot be understood solely as a biological phenomenon but must be analyzed as a result of the relationships between social structures, power, culture, technology, and the environment. The functionalism theory explains the role of health institutions for social stability, conflict theory reveals the injustice in the distribution of health resources, while symbolic interactionism and social constructionism explain the production of meaning, stigma, labeling, and medicalization. In the contemporary context, health digitalization opens up opportunities for expanding access, but it also risks widening gaps if digital literacy, infrastructure, and public trust are not strengthened. This article concludes that health sociology is important for building health policies that are fair, inclusive, participatory, and sensitive to social contexts. Future research needs to expand cross-country empirical studies, deepen intersectional analysis, and test the impact of digital transformation and climate change on vulnerable groups

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