SOC 4153: Women and Health
Fall 2005: Midterm Exam
ID#__________________________________
Instructions: Read the instructions for each section. Be sure that your answers make specific reference to lectures AND course readings. Exams are due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, October 12.
Answer the following questions in about 2-3 pages:
1. Researchers believe they have identified a gene that increases women’s risk of breast cancer. You are the chief administrator of a health insurance plan. One of your board members, whose mother died from breast cancer, argues that your plan should offer this test for free as a routine preventive procedure.
a. Explain to the board member what information you would want before you could make this decision and why you would want that information. Be sure to think about the consequences for the plan as a whole as well as for individual patients.
b. Would you want different information and reach a different decision if you were a doctor in a private practice? If you were a patient?
Answer ONE of the following questions in about 2-3 pages:
1. You are the student member of a taskforce at your university. The taskforce is charged with improving reporting rates for sexual assault and relationship violence on campus. The taskforce has faced resistance because some university personnel (as is the case at most universities) do not want to think that this is a problem on your campus. The taskforce decides that it might make more progress if it approaches sexual and relationship violence on campus as a public health issue. Describe how the taskforce would approach their charge, including at least three actions that would be taken.
2. You are the director of a grassroots organization that wants to raise awareness of issues of occupational health and safety. This month the organization’s newsletter focuses on vulnerable populations in a global economy. Write an introduction to the newsletter explaining why women are a vulnerable group. Outline what other groups might be especially vulnerable to occupational health and safety issues and why.