Health and Social Control

Health is never just a biological condition—it’s a social category shaped by norms, institutions, and systems of power.
This book explores how societies define illness, assign responsibility, and enforce compliance through medical and behavioral frameworks. From the concept of the sick role to the broader process of medicalization, these entries examine how healthcare systems reflect and reinforce the values of the culture they serve.

Whether through formal diagnosis or subtle social expectations, health becomes a way to regulate identity, behavior, and belonging.