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A Sociology of Health
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A Sociology of Health

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February 2008 | 216 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
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 aids readers' understanding of how sociological approaches are crucial to understanding the impact that health and illness have on the behavior, 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 fully comprehensive, including chapters on: globalization, gender, health inequalities, health care organization, and subjectivity and 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 is essential reading for all undergraduate students taking Medical Sociology and Sociology of Health and Illness courses, as well as graduate students in related health and social care disciplines.

David Wainwright
The Changing Face of Medical Sociology
Alan Buckingham
Doing Better, Feeling Scared: Health Statistics and the Culture of Fear
Stephen Bowler
The Object of Medicine
Adam Burgess
Health Scares and Risk Awareness
David Wainwright
Illness Behaviour and the Discourse of Health
Frank Furedi
Medicalisation in a Therapy Culture
Ellie Lee & Elizabeth Frayn
The `Feminization' of Health
Tracey Brown
Medicine, Science and `Higher Superstition'
Mike Bury
New Dimensions of Health Care Organisation
Vanessa Pupavac
Changing Concepts of International Health

Very accessible text, explains the theoretical well.

Mrs Marcia Louise Dewar
health and social science, Bradford College
October 25, 2015

Perfect resource for level 4 students.

Mr Lewis Simpson
Department of Health & Social Studies, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education
December 3, 2013

Excellent insight into medical sociology, looking at debates and the changes in health care organisations. Very interesting to read.

Miss Sharron Stillyards
health and social care, northlindsey college
August 27, 2013

Read through the book. Will be a good text for our students in terms of the sociological aspects of health.

Mr VICTOR UTTI
Health & Human Sciences, Essex University
October 25, 2011

This is an excellent book with just the kind of critical approach that I encourage students to take. It covers a range of topical health issues that are frequently discussed among the general public, in the media, and in policy circles. The articles challenge some popular notions and misconceptions on health and illness and take a scienftific analysis to distinguish between what is fact and what is not fact. Together the collection of articles establish a very useful sociological approach to understanding the contemporary concern with health and health panicks.

Dr Mark Ramsden
Sociology and Criminology, Kingston University
March 11, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One PDF


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781473902961

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ISBN: 9781412921572
$191.00

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ISBN: 9781412921589
$73.00

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.