Health and Illness
Polity Short Introductions
1. Edition January 2005
176 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Health and illness underpin our everyday existence. Health allows
us to live full lives and to function as social beings; illness
disrupts our lives, sometimes seriously. But health not only
affects individuals, it also impacts upon society as a whole.
Medical breakthroughs and scandals, health scares and health
service problems all vie for the attention of politicians and
public alike.
Michael Bury provides a lively introduction to the sociology of
health and illness for students approaching the topic for the first
time. Drawing on classic writings and up-to-date research, he
discusses the conceptualization and patterning of health and
illness in contemporary society. He highlights a range of factors,
such as gender, age, ethnicity and class, which influence the
occurrence and distribution of illness over time. The book then
focuses on debates about the body, the role of health services and
the politics of health policy. In conclusion, Bury argues that we
must take a dynamic view of health and illness as processes that
are shaped by social circumstances and altering perceptions.
This short introduction will be essential reading for all
students studying the sociology of health as part of their degree
programme.
2 The Patterning of Health and Illness.
3 Gender, Sex and Health.
4 The Body, Health and Society.
5 Health and Health Care.
6 The Future of Health.
References.
Index.
students entering the field or for professionals in cognate fields
wondering what has happened in the sociology of health and illness
over the last few years."
Gary Albrecht, University of Illinois of
Chicago
"Written in an engaging and accessible style, Health and
Illness is outstanding, carefully addressing key classic and
contemporary debates within the sociology of health and illness,
and illustrating these with the most up-to-date research."
Sara Arber, University of Surrey
"Michael Bury is one of the most thoughtful observers in medical
sociology. He provides an engaging and critical introduction to the
concepts and issues surrounding the sociology of health and
illness. Both neophytes and seasoned students will benefit greatly
from the rich discussions presented here."Peter Conrad,
Brandeis University
"Health and Illness is a stimulating introduction to the
field. It covers the topics that matter most today and raises
important questions about how we will view health and illness in
the future in response to advances in technology and the growing
medical surveillance of the individual."
Ellen Annandale, University of Leicester
