Reflexive Modernization

Abstract

Abstract Introduced by German sociologist Ulrich Beck, reflexive modernization is a relatively recent conceptual development in sociological theory. Many researchers and other writers have drawn upon the ideas surrounding this concept in countless discussions and analyses in multiple disciplines, but medical sociologists have scarcely applied Beck's ideas, with few exceptions. Nonetheless, the concept of reflexive modernization lies at the core of a quite useful framework with which to analyze recent developments in health, health care delivery, clinical practice (in multiple disciplines), public health, social epidemiology, and medical sociology.