Society, Culture and Health: An Introduction to Sociology for Nurses

Society, Culture and Health takes a sociological approach to issues of relevance for students studying nursing and related health professions. The book examines the sources of ideas about health and illness, including the biomedical model, folk and lay approaches and the influence of the media. It includes coverage of the impact on health of social marginalisation through a careful examination of structural variables. The experiences of health and illness are explained through the analysis of the body in contemporary society and issues such as chronic illness and disability. Society, Culture and Health gives an overview of the role of nursing in the health care system and its relationship with medicine and alternative health practices. Taking a practical approach, and using case studies to examine a range of issues such as domestic violence, occupational health, indigenous health and refugee health, it prepares students for working in health professions which are wide-ranging in settings, systems and clients.