The Sociology and Politics of Health A Reader

"The Sociology and Politics of Health" is a collection of key readings through which to explore the sociological and political dimensions of health, illness and health care. Combining classic pieces with more up-to-date contributions, it includes examples taken from current domestic and international initiatives and draws on humanist, materialist, feminist and constructionalist perspectives.

Health care systems, the role of health professionals and the experience of health and illness are all undergoing change and development as we enter the twenty-first century. The Sociology and Politics of Health is a collection of key readings through which to explore the sociological and political dimensions of health, illness and health care. Combining classic pieces with more up-to-date contributions, it includes examples taken from current domestic and international initiatives and draws on humanist, materialist, feminist and constructionalist perspectives. The Sociology and Politics of Health covers: * ideology and policy * social stratification * professionalisation * the experience of health and illness. * This reader offers health studies students, nurses and other health professionals an invaluable introduction to an increasingly important field of social inquiry.

Introduction 1. The Condition of the Working Class in England 2. National Health Service Bill 3. The Road to Serfdom 4. Working for Patients 5. Everyone A Private Patient 6. Supporting Families 7. The New NHS 8. Saving Lives 9. A New Universalism Part Two: Social Stratification and Health Introduction 10. The Poor and the Poorest 11. The Black Spot 12. Widening Inequality of Health in Northern England, 1981-91 13. What Makes Women Sick 14. You Are Dangerous to your Health 15. Beyond the Black Report 16.The Acheson Report PartThree: Professionalisation and Health Introduction 17.The Profession of Medicine 18. Governmentality and the Institutionalization of Expertise 19. The Rise of Surveillance Medicine 20. The Diagnostic Test and the Danger Within 21. The Modern Rise of Population 22. From Tribalism to Corporatism: The Managerial Challenge to Medical Dominance 23. Disability and the Myth of the Independent Researcher Part Four: Experiencing Health and Illness Introduction 24. Lay Concepts of Health 25. Pathways to the Doctor - From Person to Patient 26. Going to See the Doctor 27. Managing Courtesy Stigma: The Case of Alzheimer's Disease 28. Researching Women's Health Work 29. The Body in Consumer Culture 30. Containing the Body 31. A Good Enough Death

David Banks, Michael Purdy