An Introduction to the Sociology of Health & Illness

The main purpose of this book is to demonstrate that disease is socially produced and distributed. In developing this thesis, the author systematically introduces students to the major sociological explanations of the role and functions of medical explanations of disease. The book provides a guide to the strengths and weaknesses of the major sociological approaches; draws out the essential features of the major sociological contributions; and elucidates how an appreciation of the dynamics of class, gender, ethnicity and the sociology of knowledge challenges medical power.