The Sociology of Health, Illness, and Health Care: A Critical Approach

I have to believe that this is the number one text in studying the field of Medical Sociology that exists in the market. It gives a comprehensive and thorough view of the health care system, with particular reference to the USA. It's viewpoint is that disease, a biological condition, and illness, how society reacts to disease is a social construction. This book takes aim at how society as a whole victimizes and discriminates against the disabled and ill, based upon subjective prejudices. It pays close attention to gender, race, age, and socio-economic status and how those interweaved factors, play into the fate of an indivduals health over a life time. Very easy to read, and the authors knowledge on the topic is superb. I would recommend this text to anyone in the health care industry.

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read this text. I appreciate the organization of the text and found it to be a very interesting and informative read.