A Sociology of Health
- David Wainwright - University of Bath, UK
`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.
Very accessible text, explains the theoretical well.
Perfect resource for level 4 students.
Excellent insight into medical sociology, looking at debates and the changes in health care organisations. Very interesting to read.
Read through the book. Will be a good text for our students in terms of the sociological aspects of health.
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.
