Understanding the Sociology of Health

Anne-Marie Barry is a research consultant in Edinburgh and former lecturer in health sociology at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Her research interests primarily focus on social inequalities and health and wellbeing and have also included alcohol and drug use, sexual health, mental health and bereavement.Chris Yuill is a sociologist at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, whose work focuses on the sociology of health and the sociology of urban experiences. In addition to a variety of journal publications and research reports he has written and co-edited a number of textbooks for SAGE, one of his most recent being Sociology for Social Work co-edited with Alastair Gibson. Other texts include Understanding the Sociology of Health: An Introduction with Anne-Marie Barry, which is now in its third edition and has also been translated into Chinese. Chris has also served two terms on the executive of the British Sociological Association.

• IntroductionSection 1: Theories, Perspectives and ConceptsChapter 1 - Sociological theory: explaining and theorisingChapter 2 - Understanding healthChapter 3 - A brief history of health and healingChapter 4 - Climate change, nature and wellbeingSection 2: Key ThemesChapter 5 - Inequality and healthChapter 6 - Gender and healthChapter 7 - Race, ethnicity & health Chapter 8 - Mental health and emotional distressChapter 9 - Sexualities and health (with Megan Todd)Chapter 10 - Sociology of the body: chronic illness and disabilityChapter 11 - Health, ageing and the life courseSection 3: ContextsChapter 12 – Pandemics & societyChapter 13 - Health policyChapter 14 - Sport, health, exercise and wellbeingChapter 15 - Death and dyingChapter 16 - Health technologiesGlossaryReferences