Institute for Medical Sociology

The Institute of Medical Sociology in Düsseldorf researches and teaches how social circumstances influence the development, trajectory and treatment of health and diseases.

Every individual''s health is defined by socially formed chances and risks: Health behaviour, stress, unemployment, social support, loneliness and poverty are few examples. Our institute bundles knowledge on how these factors influence the development of diseases. Knowing these influences allows to identify groups in society with high health risks, to design targeted medical interventions and to develop adequate prevention programs.

The institute is part of the newly founded interdisciplinary ?Centre for Health and Society? at the medical faculty.