Praise for the First Edition: `The book is a great introduction... it gives the students a sound basis, gets them thinking and gives them the confidence to move on' - Sarah Nettleton, University of York `This book was a pleasure to read, given its clarity and the broad spectrum to topics covered so succinctly...it delivers a grounded and measured summary of the sociology of health. Perhaps most importantly however, I feel it achieves the task of promoting critical and questioning in relation to the medical model and our understanding of health as anchored in the social world' - Zoe Hildon, Imperial College London The eagerly-awaited new edition of Understanding Health: A Sociological Introduction brings together the best of current thinking in the sociology of health and illness in a truly 'readable' and concise manner. `The book is a great introduction... it gives the students a sound basis, gets them thinking and gives them the confidence to move on' -`This book was a pleasure to read, given its clarity and the broad spectrum to topics covered so succinctly...it delivers a grounded and measured summary of the sociology of health. Perhaps most importantly however, I feel it achieves the task of promoting critical and questioning in relation to the medical model and our understanding of health as anchored in the social world' - The eagerly-awaited new edition of brings together the best of current thinking in the sociology of health and illness in a truly 'readable' and concise manner. Extensively revised and drawing on the latest applied sociological research and new theoretical insights into health and illness, Understanding Health: A Sociological Introduction explores everything from health inequalities to chronic illness; embodiment to research techniques; and health care organisation to social theory. Though aimed primarily at students on health and social care courses and professions allied to medicine, this textbook provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the social aspects of health.

A complete, highly readable and student orientated introduction. Comprehensive coverage of all the key theories, debates and issues showing how sociology can answer complex questions about health and illness.

The Handbook of the Sociology of Health, Illness & Healing advances the understanding of medical sociology by identifying the most important contemporary challenges to the field and suggesting directions for future inquiry. The editors provide a blueprint for guiding research and teaching agendas for the first quarter of the 21st century. In a series of essays, this volume offers a systematic view of the critical questions that face our understanding of the role of social forces in health, illness and healing. It also provides an overall theoretical framework and asks medical sociologists to consider the implications of taking on new directions and approaches. Such issues may include the importance of multiple levels of influences, the utility of dynamic, life course approaches, the role of culture, the impact of social networks, the importance of fundamental causes approaches, and the influences of state structures and policy making.

Understanding the Sociology of Health, Third Edition is an accessible introduction to a subject which is often shrouded in jargon. Providing case studies and exercises to really get students thinking, this book shows how sociology provides the means to answer complex questions about health and illness, such as why health inequalities exist. The new edition includes new chapters on the history of health and healing; sexuality; sport, fitness and exercise; and death and dying.

A comprehensive and accessible introduction to the sociology of health and illness, written for students on a wide range of courses. Understanding Health clearly explains what sociology is and how it contributes to our understanding of health. Beginning with an overview of the discipline, the authors set out the different theoretical perspectives offered by sociology. They describe how for centuries, our understanding of health and illness has been dominated by the medical model and a focus on disease processes. In contrast, they show how sociology provides a broader understanding of health and inequalities in the health of populations by taking account of factors such as age, social class, gender and environment. The book goes on to explore the social context of health care, the role of different professions (particularly the professions allied to medicine) and the organizational constraints on those involved in health care delivery. Understanding Health is designed for students studying sociology as part of a wide range of courses. To help them get the most from the book, signposts are provided throughout that show where related topics appear elsewhere in the text.Other useful features include discussion points, definitions of key terms, and suggestions for further reading.

`A Sociology of Health charts a way forward for a medical sociology that can make a positive contribution to medical practice and health policy′ - Dr Michael Fitzpatrick, East London GP and author of The Tyranny of Health `This is a very lively book that will stimulate good debate amongst students undertaking sociology of health courses in higher education′ - Mathew Jones, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Policy, University of the West of England A Sociology of Health offers an authoritative and up-to-date introduction to the key issues, perspectives and debates within the field of medical sociology. The book will aid readers′ understanding of how sociological approaches are crucial to understanding the impact that health and illness have on the behaviour, attitudes, beliefs, and practices, of an increasingly health-aware population. The book is topical and unique in its approach, combining commentary and analysis of classic debates in medical sociology with contemporary issues in health care policy and practice. The content is wide-ranging, including chapters on: health scares, therapy culture, new dimensions of international health, changes in health care organisation and the feminization of health. Features such as case studies, questions for debate, and further reading sections are used throughout to promote critical reflection and further debate. A Sociology of Health offers readers a fresh approach to the subject, and will be essential reading for all undergraduate students on medical sociology and sociology of health and illness courses, as well as postgraduate students in related health and social care disciplines. David Wainwright is a Senior Lecturer in the School for Health, University of Bath.

Sociology of Health and Health Care is an introductory textbook that explains the complexities of health sociology in a very clear and simple manner. Written in an accessible style, the book offers an overview of each subject area and provides concise summaries of key topics, which enable the student to build a sound understanding of the significance of sociology in health care. The second edition of this successful title has been substantially revised and updated by editors and contributors who are experienced teachers in the fields of sociology and nursing. The book has been considerably expanded and chapters on Health Policy and Nursing as a Profession have been completely rewritten with a new focus on changing work conditions. This new edition discusses the changing context of health care and considers the implications for nurses of health promotion, community care, managerialism, consumerism and the development of market economics in health care.

The sociology of health and illness is a rapidly growing field. Yet, as a field, it has suffered from a remarkably limited perspective dominated by scholarship produced in the global north. Scholars in the sociology of health and illness have been late to enter debates in global health and have generally failed to learn lessons from work originating in the global south. To begin to address this limitation, this edited collection features notable contributions from Latin American scholars exploring key issues, including sickle cell disease in Brazil, cancer and Chagas disease in Argentina and reproductive health in Mexico. This collection, offering a snapshot of the rich and nuanced research being conducted in the region, offers readers valuable lessons. It is our argument that Latin American health sociology has much to offer the larger field of sociology – both for what it can teach us about Latin America in and of itself, and for what this field of scholarship can teach us about health and illness as broadly defined. This collection challenges readers to think about the global nature of health inequalities. Rich in empirical data and theoretical substance, this book is an essential collection for readers interested in understanding the sociology of health and illness. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Health Sociology Review and as individual papers in Global Public Health and Critical Public Health.

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This textbook helps students in the health sciences prepare for the social foundations portion of the medical college entrance exam. It provides a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts, theories, and methodologies in sociology that the exam requires. This book offers a condensed overview of the sociological concepts covered during a 15 week semester. It helps students gain an understanding of the social foundations of behavior, and the social determinants of health within the professional context of medicine. Students are provided with the necessary basics in addition to case studies, learning and research activities, recommended external resources, and study questions. These are meant to develop pre-health students’ understanding of the importance of the social factors that influence health outcomes. The featured activities contain various exercises using examples of sociology of health and medicine, including social factors shaping health, social relations between doctors and patients, and the health care system, among others. As a result, this book well informs not only those who wish to prepare for the medical college entrance exam to pursue a career in the health profession, but also anyone who is interested in social perspectives on health and medicine.