Steve Taylor (4)

This is an advanced-level book on sociology of health and illness, consisting of 12 chapters by 18 contributors from Great Britain. It is intended to serve as general ""post-introductory"" level source for use in teaching sociology of health and illness, where there are few readily available advance-level textbooks. The expected audience includes students and practitioners who already possess a working knowledge of sociology, and instructors. The book provides up-to-date, in-depth show more examinations of key issues and topics in the study of health and illness in contemporary Britain from a wide variety of sociological approaches, including updated conceptualization of chronic illness, social division and gender issues in relation to health, and the social context of healthcare. The readings are not intended to be introductory or comprehensive. This clear focus allows updated, in-depth sociological analysis of important issues in contemporary industrialized societies. Many of the chapters challenge prevailing assumptions in the study of health and illness, and thus are suitable for facilitating class discussions and critical thinking. Conceptual and substantive issues discussed in the context of British society provide sociologists in other countries with opportunities to critically analyze their own societal issues. This book is of high quality, despite slight variations in the depth of analysis across chapters, and is highly recommended for use in advanced sociological courses in health, illness, and aging.

Booknews

Drawing on a range of sociological perspectives, 12 papers explore issues of health and illness in contemporary Britain. Topics discussed include: the social construction of definitions of chronic and mental illnesses; the contributions of sociology to defining HIV/AIDS issues by the study of the behavior of homosexual and bisexual men; the role of social class, gender, and age in the distribution of inequality in health care opportunities; and the ways in which societal and institutional structural changes affect access to health care. show less

Lorrie Farrall - this has been removed from our shelves due to use