Understanding Health, Illness and Society by Paton, Alexis;

Short description:

This accessible book shows how social structures and social norms shape both individual and collective health. It provides readers with an insightful understanding of the relationship between society, health and illness, and highlights issues to inform a progressive, patient-centred approach to contemporary healthcare.

Long description:

This accessible book shows how social structures and social norms shape both individual and collective health. It provides readers with an insightful understanding of the relationship between society, health and illness and highlights issues to inform a progressive, patient-centred approach to contemporary healthcare.

The book begins by discussing how health has been defined and understood over the last century before examining how social issues such as deprivation, class, employment, housing, gender, ethnicity and policy shape health and contribute to health inequities. The book then discusses public health initiatives such as health promotion and screening programmes, the impact of resource allocation and the role that politics and policy play in supporting a healthy society. To bring concepts to life, the book uses case studies from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Guided by the fundamental principle that everything in a society has some effect or impact upon its health, and assuming no prior knowledge of the social sciences, this is the ideal book for healthcare students across nursing, medicine, midwifery and pharmacy, as well as anyone interested in the relationship between health and society.

'Understanding Health, Illness and Society is a lively, engaging and comprehensive introduction to health inequalities for undergraduate students. Through a rare combination of insight, humour, and academic rigor, Paton navigates the complexities between individual health and well-being and broader societal structures. This indispensable text should become the "go-to" for healthcare students and professionals seeking to understand sociology in health.'
- Prof Kate Flemming PhD RN, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK

'This book provides an excellent introduction to the relationship between health and society. The fact that it is written in an easily accessible and reader-friendly style commends it to every reader, but this book serves as a fantastic introduction for those healthcare students who have a desire to learn about the sociological aspects of healthcare (as all healthcare students should). I would certainly endorse this book to all pharmacy students.'

- Dr Joseph Bush, Dean of Aston Pharmacy School, Aston University, UK

'Understanding Health, Illness and Society is a wonderful book giving a valuable insight into to the social context of health and people’s understanding of health. At a time when patient’s needs are getting increasingly complex, it is important to understand the wider context of health. This book provides this context and more. Every doctor and medical student should read it.'
- Dr Mumtaz Patel, President, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK

Table of Contents:

1.Introduction: What is Health?  2.The Social Context of Health: The Social and Structural Determinants of Health.  3.How People Understand Their Health.  4.Health-Related Behaviours.  5.Promoting Health and Wellbeing.  6.Politics and Health.  7.Sustainable Healthcare: Future-proofing the Health of Britain.  8.Conclusion.  9.Test Yourself.