Reflections about the social determinants of the health-disease process

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide some elements, manly epistemological, to recognize the social character of the health-disease process. Despite the abundant literature that exists about the issue, and the emphasis placed by some authors who have analyzed the hegemonic nature of medicine and who have opposed to its the eminently social character, postulates that social medicine, has not been much progress. Proof of this is the excessive emphasis on particular topics. We analyze the so-called Hegemonic Medical Model, particularly the traditional epidemiology, taking into consideration its conceptual limitations, refer to critical epidemiology as an alternative. From this perspective it is possible to make a proper balance on social affairs regarding the health-disease process.