Society, Culture and Health - Paperback

by Karen Willis (Author), Shandell Elmer (Author)

Society, Culture and Health introduces sociology to students studying nursing and related health professions. It examines the sources of ideas about health and illness, including the biomedical model, folk and lay approaches and the influence of the media, and 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 a theoretical analysis of the body in contemporary society, covering issues such as chronic illness and disability.

Thoroughly revised and updated Society, Culture and Health 2e gives an overview of the role of nursing within 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.

Author Biography

Karen Willis is a senior lecturer in sociology at the School of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Tasmania. She has responsibility for development of curriculum, course coordination, and teaching health sociology to nursing students.

Shandell Elmer is a Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania, Department of Rural Health. She is currently undertaking a PhD that aims to explore the relationship between social capital within health service organisations and their attempts at community engagement.