The social construction of individual and public health: contributions of social representations theory to a social science of health

Abstract

The relevance of the theory of social representations to public health and a social science of health is discussed. Central issues for a social science of health (theory development, quality assessment, supply of appropriate methods and critical reflections on developments) are outlined for different levels: individual, single institution, community, society and professionalization of public health. Results of comparative studies of health conceptions are reported (different professional groups in Germany, women in Germany and Portugal), as well as analyses of institutions and communities. It is suggested that weaknesses in epidemiological research can be overcome by the development of an epidemiology of representations, resources and risks. The possible contributions of social psychology to the study of the professionalization of public health and its effects are discussed. These examples illustrate how both individual and public health are subjects of social constructive processes.