"The inter-relationships of health, illness and society are matters of intense and growing research and debate. Kevin White has performed an extraordinary service to anyone who would wish to understand or contribute to such debates. His dictionary is authoritative and comprehensive. It provides clear, confident and succinct summaries of key terms, concepts,debates and influential figures in the field of social aspects of health." - Ray Fitzpatrick, Professor of Public Health, University of Oxford The field of Health Studies has grown enormously over the last 30 years. Yet surprisingly, until now, no comprehensive and authoritative Dictionary of key terms has been available. This book fills the gap with over 900 terms used in the health studies field. The dictionary: Provides one-stop coverage of the social scientific arena in Health Studies Offers concise definitions of key terms and think Focuses on global key terms which apply to the entire field rather than the application of terms in different countries. Chosen with finesse and understanding of student needs, the entries provide readers with a key resource in the field of health studies and the sociology of health and illness.

"The inter-relationships of health, illness and society are matters of intense and growing research and debate. Kevin White has performed an extraordinary service to anyone who would wish to understand or contribute to such debates. His dictionary is authoritative and comprehensive. It provides clear, confident and succinct summaries of key terms, concepts,debates and influential figures in the field of social aspects of health." - Ray Fitzpatrick, Professor of Public Health, University of Oxford The field of Health Studies has grown enormously over the last 30 years. Yet surprisingly, until now, no comprehensive and authoritative Dictionary of key terms has been available. This book fills the gap with over 900 terms used in the health studies field. The dictionary: Provides one-stop coverage of the social scientific arena in Health Studies Offers concise definitions of key terms and think Focuses on global key terms which apply to the entire field rather than the application of terms in different countries. Chosen with finesse and understanding of student needs, the entries provide readers with a key resource in the field of health studies and the sociology of health and illness.

With new chapters on key topics such as mental health, the environment, race, ethnicity and health, and pharmaceuticals, this new edition maintains its multidisciplinary framework and bridges the gap between health policy and the sociology of health. It builds upon the success of the first by encompassing a range of issues, studies, and disciplines. The broad coverage of topics in addition to new chapters present an engagement with contemporary issues, resulting in a valuable teaching aid. This second edition brings together a diverse range of leading international scholars with contributors from Australia, Puerto-Rico, USA, Guatemala, Germany, Sri Lanka, Botswana, UK, South Sudan, Mexico, South Korea, Canada and more. The second edition of this Handbook remains a key resource for undergraduates, post-graduates, and researchers across multidisciplinary backgrounds including: medicine, health and social care, sociology, and anthropology. PART ONE: Culture, Society and Health PART TWO: Lived Experiences PART THREE: Health Care Systems, Access and Use PART FOUR: Health in Environmental and Planetary Context

As a sociological specialty, medical sociology has a distinct history and literature spanning more than four decades. Since its inception in the years following World War II, medical sociology has attracted significant funds for research, provided extensive employment opportunities within and outside the academy, and produced an increasing number of professional publications. The Medical Sociology Section is the largest specialty represented in both the British and German Sociological Associations and is the second largest among American sociologists. Unlike other, more theoretically oriented branches of sociology, medical sociology was expected by funding agencies and policymakers to produce social knowledge that could be readily applied in medical practice, public health campaigns, and health policy formulation. Thus medical sociology is of interest not only to sociologists, but also to physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, therapists, hospital administrators, health insurers, health economists, and others who rely on the basic insights of sociology in research, patient care, and job performance. Like other disciplines, medical sociology has its own fundamental terms and concepts. This reference book concisely defines those terms and is thus a necessary guide for medical sociologists and for practitioners and researchers in related fields. The volume begins with an introductory essay that traces the history of medical sociology. The dictionary then presents short, alphabetically arranged entries for numerous terms. Entries provide a definition of the term and generally discuss the theoretical and practical significance of the topic. For appropriate entries, cross-references to related terms are provided. Entries cite relevant literature, and the volume closes with a bibliography of works cited.

The main purpose of this book is to demonstrate that disease is socially produced and distributed. Becoming sick and unhealthy is not the result of individual misfortune or an accident of nature. It is a consequence of the social, political and economic organization of society. In developing this thesis, the author systematically introduces students to the major sociological explanations of the role and functions of medical explanations of disease. The book situates the student securely in the literature and provides a guide to the strengths and weaknesses of the major sociological approaches. It draws out the essential features of the major sociological contributions and elucidates how an appreciation of the dynamics of class, gender, ethnicity and the sociology of knowledge challenges medical power.

Bringing together the work of over eighty leading academics and researchers worldwide to produce the definitive reference and research tool for the social sciences, The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods contains more than 230 entries providing the widest coverage of the all the main terms in the research process. It encompasses philosophies of science, research paradigms and designs, specific aspects of data collection, practical issues to be addressed when carrying out research, and the role of research in terms of function and context. Each entry includes: - A concise definition of the concept - A description of distinctive features: historical and disciplinary backgrounds; key writers; applications - A critical and reflective evaluation of the concept under consideration - Cross references to associated concepts within the dictionary - A list of key readings Written in a lively style, The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods is an essential study guide for students and first-time researchers. It is a primary source of reference for advanced study, a necessary supplement to established textbooks, and a state-of-the-art reference guide to the specialized language of research across the social sciences.

"Kevin White guides us through the many reasons for the centrality of health showing clearly that health and illness are the products not just of our biology but of the society into which we are born. He expertly draws on the works of Parsons, Marx, Foucault and feminist writers to provide an authoritative analysis of the social nature of health." - Ray Fitzpatrick, University of Oxford "I have used this book for many years because it is so well written, and it is easy for the students to understand." - Julianne Law, Bangor University "An excellent introductory text to help the students to begin to critically analyse different perspectives on health." - Debbie Chittenden, University of Bolton This is a new edition of the best-selling textbook for students of the sociology of health and illness. Free of jargon, intuitive about student needs and well versed in course requirements, Kevin White's book is used widely across both health and sociology schools.

′...a welcome addition to the literature in the rapidly expanding field of sports studies. It is up to date, comprehensive, and well and clearly written. Though primarily sociological in its orientation, it will help students -postgraduate and undergraduate alike and their teachers as well - to establish connections between the various sub-disciplines and guide them to sources which will enable them to probe issues more deeply... It is a beautifully crafted book and is sure to be a hit with students and their teachers. It would not surprise me in the least, however, if it appealed to sports lovers more generally... It is a tour de force and I recommend it unreservedly′ - Eric Dunning, Professor in Sociology, The Centre for the Sociology of Sport, University of Leicester Sports studies is one of the fastest growing fields in higher education today. The SAGE Dictionary of Sports Studies brings a timely, much-needed and comprehensive tool for all students in this multi-disciplinary field. Each entry provides a basic definition, a guide to research themes and a clear account of the relevance of the concept in understanding sport. Not only indispensable for quick clarification of terms, it will give students a springboard for more in-depth research and critical analysis. It offers: " Cross referencing to assist critical thinking " A list of key readings for each entry " Expert definitions drawn from sociology, history, psychology, economics, management and business, politics and policy, physical education and health, and research methods. " Concise, student-friendly and authoritative entries. Covering sociology, history, psychology, politics, business, physical education, health and research methods, The SAGE Dictionary of Sports Studies provides the first one-stop reference guide for all students who study the social aspects of sport.

In this exciting new book, William Cockerham, a leading medical sociologist, assesses the evidence that social factors have direct causal effects on health and many diseases. He argues that stress, poverty, unhealthy lifestyles, and unpleasant living and work conditions can all be directly associated with illness. Noting a new emphasis upon social structure in both theory and multi-level research techniques, he argues that a paradigm shift is now emerging in 21st century medical sociology, which looks beyond individual explanations for health and disease. As the old gives way to the new in medical sociology, the field is headed toward a fundamentally different orientation. William Cockerham's clear and compelling account is at the forefront of these changes. This lively and accessible book offers a coherent introduction to social epidemiology, as well as challenging aspects of the existing literature. It will be indispensable reading for all students and scholars of medical sociology, especially those with the courage to confront the possibility that society really does make people sick.

A contemporary account of why medicine and health matter in our modern society. Written by an expert in both sociology and medicine, it critically explores key areas of debate and policy whilst explaining the practical realities of medicine today.