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Understanding the Sociology of Health
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Understanding the Sociology of Health
An Introduction

Fifth Edition
Additional resources:


December 2021 | 304 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Why do health inequalities exist? How do gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity or class affect health? What is the healthcare impact of technology? How does climate change relate to health and illness and what does sociology have to teach us about pandemics?

This textbook exists to answer these complex questions providing a complete overview of all the key sociological debates, themes, theories and research.

Key features:

  • Takes a global perspective providing comparative examples throughout
  • Grapples with the most pressing healthcare debates including climate change and environment, pandemics and society, racism, health inequality and gender identity
  • Breaks the complexities down using extremely clear language throughout
  • Lecturers and instructors can also access a range of additional teaching resources available from the SAGE website.

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.

 
Introduction
 
Section 1: Theories, Perspectives and Concepts
 
Chapter 1 - Sociological theory: explaining and theorising
 
Chapter 2 - Understanding health
 
Chapter 3 - A brief history of health and healing
 
Chapter 4 - Climate change, nature and wellbeing
 
Section 2: Key Themes
 
Chapter 5 - Inequality and health
 
Chapter 6 - Gender and health
 
Chapter 7 - Race, ethnicity & health 
 
Chapter 8 - Mental health and emotional distress
 
Chapter 9 - Sexualities and health (with Megan Todd)
 
Chapter 10 - Sociology of the body: chronic illness and disability
 
Chapter 11 - Health, ageing and the life course
 
Section 3: Contexts
 
Chapter 12 – Pandemics & society
 
Chapter 13 - Health policy
 
Chapter 14 - Sport, health, exercise and wellbeing
 
Chapter 15 - Death and dying
 
Chapter 16 - Health technologies
 
Glossary
 
References

Great reading around the different elements of sociology and how they impact health. Good foundation for our nursing students.

Mrs Miriam Collett
Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences, Salford University
September 23, 2022

A clear and user friendly guide to the sociology of health that links theoretical models clearly to contemporary examples. A useful text book that sets out concepts clearly and is accessible for learners.

Ms Angela Woods
Dept of Health & Social Studies, Bolton University
December 15, 2021

For instructors

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781526497536
£30.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781526497543
£91.00

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