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