Advantages Of Socio Medical Model

The socio-medical model takes the blame away from the individual in contributing to their bad health. This is a strength because the individual will understand the other factors that may have contributed to becoming ill. This is important as it will ensure the individual changes their lifestyle in order to ensure they don’t fall ill. This will make the individual feel empowered and important because they will be aware of how to avoid the illness instead of being given orders by a doctor who may not give information on how to avoid becoming vulnerable to the illness again.

The socio-medical model helps educate people. This is a strength because it helps avoid individuals to get the illness. For example, if communities are educated about obesity,

they will be encouraged to become responsible and lead healthier lives by eating five a day and exercising regularly. This improves quality of life and health, overall would be much better.
This model focuses on explaining and addressing the causes of poor health. This is a strength because it addresses environmental factors unlike the bio-medical model which waits for the person to become unwell and then treating the illness. It makes sure changes are made in order to avoid the illness. For example, in order to avoid obesity in children, the socio-medical model will ensure there are parks and healthy affordable food stores available for families with children. This makes it less likely for an obesity problem occurring.
This model increases the economic development of the country because less money will be spent on medicine because people will be healthy. This is good as the money will be used for other purposes such as changing the environments people live for example making sure there are gyms available for those who want to lose weight and
One weakness of this model is that not all people are willing to change their lifestyles because it is difficult. For example, overweight people who are at risk of obesity may not be ready to change because they have been used to their lifestyle. It also may be difficult because of the individual may not have nearby or affordable gyms to use in order to lose weight.