This collection opens up the post war history of public health to sustained research-based historical scrutiny. Medicine, the Market and the Mass Media examines the development of a new view of 'the health of the public' and the influences which shaped it in the post war years. Taking a broad perspective the book examines developments in Western Europe, and the relationships between Europe and the US. The essays looks at the dual legacy of social medicine through health services and health promotion, and analyse the role of mass media along with the connections between public health and industry. This international collection will appeal to public health professionals, students of the history of medicince and of heath policy

This book discusses Asian medicine, which puts enormous emphasis on prevention and preservation of health, and examines how, in recent decades, medical schools in Asia have been increasingly shifting toward a curative approach. It offers an ethnographic investigation of the scenarios in China and India and finds that modern students and graduates in these countries perceive Asian medicine to be as important as Western medicine. There is a growing tendency to integrate Asian medicine with Western medical thought in the academic curriculum that has led to a gradual decline of Asian medical thought and practices. At the same time, there has been a massive rise in patent drugs, health products and cosmetics being sold under the brand names of Asian medicine or herbal medicine. Most of these drugs and health products do not follow the classical formulas found in the Asian medical texts. The book analyses these texts and concludes that contemporary Asian medicine rarely follows the classical texts, and in fact uses Asian medicine brands to sell Western health products and practices. With a particular focus on the formal and professional sector of Chinese herbal medicine and Indian ayurvedic medicine in urban areas, this book appeals to a broad readership, including undergraduate students and academics as well as non-experts. Md. Nazrul Islam is an Associate Professor in the General Education Office, United International College, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University. He was a Visiting Associate Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (2015-16) during which time he completed this book manuscript.

At the core of this book lies the question how to approach medicines, risks and communication as a researcher - or anybody planning and evaluating a communication intervention, or wanting to understand communication events in private and the media. With a view to tackle current shortcomings of communication systems and processes for improved implementation, patient satisfaction and health outcomes, a multilayered approach is presented. This combines multiple data types and methods to obtain a wider and deeper understanding of the major parties and their interactions, as well as the healthcare, social and political contexts of information flows, how they interfere and which impact they have. Illustrated with real life experiences of safety concerns with medicines, worldwide active experts discuss the methods and contributions their disciplines can offer. With considerations on terminologies, tabulated overviews on communication types and outcomes, a patient-centred vision and plain language for non-medical readers, the book creates a platform for multidisciplinary collaborations amongst researchers as well as practitioners from communications, healthcare, the social sciences and pharmacovigilance. Importantly, it advocates for an active role of patients and highlights the achievements and aspirations of patient organisations. Finally, the book suggests establishing an inclusive discipline of humanities and epidemiology of medicinal product risk communication to realise full research potential. The authors are driven by the curiosity for communication as the most human behaviour, and as good health is amongst the basic human needs, medicinal product risk communication is an exciting research field of high global relevance.

Increasing health literacy among patients is a difficult task as medical jargon and healthcare directions can be overwhelming and difficult to comprehend. In today’s digital world, people are more connected than ever before and have the ability to find healthcare information in a way that was not possible in recent years. Mass media and social media have become particularly influential in conveying health information to the public. With the amount of misinformation being spread, coupled with poor health literacy skills, it is imperative that new strategies and policies are undertaken to ensure that patients and the general public receive accurate information and are appropriately educated in order to provide them with the best possible knowledge and care. The Research Anthology on Improving Health Literacy Through Patient Communication and Mass Media provides an overview of the importance of health literacy and the various means to achieve health literacy for patients using several strategies and elements such as patient communication and mass media. The book covers health awareness challenges that have been faced recently and historically and pushes for better patient-provider communication. The book also examines the use of social media, virtual support groups, and technological tools that aid in the facilitation of health knowledge. Covering a range of key topics such as patient safety, health illiteracy, and eHealth, this anthology is crucial for healthcare professionals, researchers, academicians, students, and those interested in understanding the importance of health literacy and how it connects to media and communication.

This title includes Foreword by Paul Griffiths, Scientific Coordinator, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Portugal. "Provocative. Stimulating. Reflect[s] the diverse and eclectic nature of drug use in Europe and, in doing so, makes for a rich reading experience. This book is about drug use as a dynamic social behaviour where understanding meaning and motivations, and culture and context, are as important as understanding the actions of chemicals on the brain or body. It clearly illustrates the value of social research as a powerful tool for illuminating subjects that are too often overlooked in the discourse on the drug problem, but also reminds us why such a detailed vision is important." "If you are feeling jaded and uninspired, and have forgotten why this topic ever interested you in the first place; if you simply want to read something provocative and different that reminds you of why the use of drugs is not only an important policy issue but also a fascinating area for social research - this book is for you - and these seem to me pretty good reasons for recommending a text." - Paul Griffiths, in the Foreword.

The current shift in demographics - aging and shrinking populations - in many countries around the world presents a major challenge to companies and societies alike. One particularly essential implication is the emergence and constant growth of the so-called "silver market," the market segment more or less broadly defined as those people aged 55 and older. Increasing in number and share of the total population while at the same time being relatively well-off, this market segment can be seen as very attractive and promising, although still very underdeveloped in terms of product and service offerings. This book offers a thorough and up-to-date analysis of the challenges and opportunities in leveraging innovation, technology, product development and marketing for elder consumers and employees. Key lessons are drawn from the Japanese lead market as well as other select countries.