Table of Contents

1. Health and Health Care:


Sociological History and Perspectives

Learning Objectives

A Sociological Perspective

A Brief History of Sociological Thinking about Health and Health Care

Theoretical Approaches to Health and Health Care

i. Social Structural Perspectives

ii. Social Psychological Perspectives

iii. Contemporary Theorizing Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care Conclusion Questions For Critical Thought Suggestions For Further Reading

 

2. Health and Illness

Learning Objectives

Definitions of Health and Illness

Sociology and Social Construction of Health and Illness

Social Factors in Health and Illness

Global Disparities

Matters of Place - Regional Disparities

Social Class and Socioeconomic Disparities

Race, Ethnic and Immigrant Inequalities

Gender Inequalities

Age Inequalities

Multiple Jeopardy and Intersectionality

Experiencing Health and Illness - Opportunities for Agency

Health and Illness over the Life Course

Conclusion Questions For Critical Thought

Suggestions For Further
Reading

 

3. Self and Informal Care

Learning Objectives

Introduction

Self Care When Healthy

The Individual and Self Care

Structural Determinants of Self Care

Social Interaction

i. Structured Interaction

The Lived Experience of Self Care When Ill

Structural Influences on Self Care When Ill

Caregiving

The Experience of Caregiving

Macro Societal Forces

 i. Ethnic Minority Culture

Conclusions

Questions For Critical Thought

Suggestions For Further Reading

 

4. Formal Care

Learning Objectives

Introduction Health Professions

i. The Medical Profession and Provision of Medical Care

ii. Nursing Care

 iii. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Health Care Settings

i. Hospitals

ii. Long Term Residential Care

iii. Home Care

iv: Other Forms of Community-Based Care

Experiencing Formal Care

i. Medical and Hospital Care

ii. Complementary and Alternative Medicine

iii. Long-Term Care: Institutional and Home Conclusions

Questions For Critical Thought

Suggestions For Further Reading

5. Health Care Policy

Learning Objectives H

ealth Care as Social Policy S

ome Background on Canada's Health Care System

Health Care Reform

A Lack of Progress

Globalization and Capitalism

Other Vested Interests - The Pharmaceutical Industry

Consequences for Individuals Allowing for Agency

i. Social Captial

ii. Healthy Communities

Conclusions

Questions For Critical Thought

Suggestions For Further Reading

 

Conclusions: The Sociology of Health and Care in the Future

Learning Objectives To Summarize

Revisiting Health and Illness

Changing Self Care

Relying on Others

Health Care Services in the Future

Health Care Policy - Is There an Alternative?

Sociological Advances

Questions For Critical Thought

Suggestions For Further Reading

References

Index

About the Author

Neena L. Chappell, PhD, FRSC, Canada Research Chair in Social Gerontology, Professor of Sociology and Centre on Aging, University of Victoria. She was founding Director of the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba (1982-1992) and first Director of the Centre on Aging at the University of Victoria (1992-2002), developing both into world-class research facilities while ensuring accessibility to the community. For over 25 years, she has been a leader in
gerontological research, focusing on three areas: quality of life for seniors, caregiving, and the health care system and related policy. Her research can be characterized as partnerships with other
researchers in the social sciences and with non-researchers in government and community agencies. Margaret Penning is an Associate Professor at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on the social determinants of health and health care with a particular focus on factors that influence chronic illness, disability and long-term community-based care. I am also interested in the impact of health care reforms and restructuring processes on older adults and other vulnerable populations.