An Introduction to the Sociology of Health & Illness"Kevin White guides us through the many reasons for the centrality of health showing clearly that health and illness are the products not just of our biology but of the society into which we are born. He expertly draws on the works of Parsons, Marx, Foucault and feminist writers to provide an authoritative analysis of the social nature of health." - Ray Fitzpatrick, University of Oxford "I have used this book for many years because it is so well written, and it is easy for the students to understand." - Julianne Law, Bangor University "An excellent introductory text to help the students to begin to critically analyse different perspectives on health." - Debbie Chittenden, University of Bolton This is a new edition of the best-selling textbook for students of the sociology of health and illness. Free of jargon, intuitive about student needs and well versed in course requirements, Kevin White's book is used widely across both health and sociology schools. |
Contents
1 Introduction | 1 |
2 The Social Construction of Medical Knowledge | 14 |
3 The Development of the Sociology of Health | 33 |
4 Postmodernity Epidemiology and NeoLiberalism | 55 |
5 Materialist Approaches to the Sociology of Health | 80 |
6 Parsons American Sociology of Medicine and the Sick Role | 105 |
7 Foucault and the Sociology of Medical Knowledge | 119 |
8 Health Gender and Feminism | 132 |
9 Race Ethnicity and Health | 155 |
10 Conclusion | 170 |
| 174 | |
| 200 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analysis approach argued argument aspects attempt Australian basis become behaviour biological body cancer capital capitalist causes cent century changes characteristics claim clinical concept concern constructed cultural death determined disease doctors drugs economic ethnicity evidence examination example existence experience explanations fact factors feminist Fleck focus Foucault function gender genetic groups higher human impact increased individual inequality interests labour lead lifestyle linked live major male means medical knowledge medical profession medicine mortality nature organization outcome Parsons particularly patient patterns perspective physical political poor population position practices practitioners presented problems profession professional provides rates reflects relations relationship responsible risk role scientific Second seen sense shaped sick social social structures society sociologists sociology specific status stress structure theory thought tion treated treatment understanding women