Health, Illness and the Social Body: A Critical Sociology

This text presents a critical, holistic interpretation of health, illness, and human bodies that emphasizes power as a key social-structural factor in health and in societal responses to illness. This text covers a range of contemporary issues in the field including the epidemiology of AIDS in Africa, the health impacts of globalization and inequality, the dominance of the medical establishment in U.S. health care policies and institutional arrangements, health care reform, AIDS, women's care, and environmental and occupational issues. For anyone interested in a theoretical interpretation of health and illness in today's society.