Michael Purdy – författare

Health care systems, the role of health professionals and the experience of health and illness are all undergoing change and development as we enter the twenty-first century. The Sociology and Politics of Health is a collection of key readings through which to explore the sociological and political dimensions of health, illness and health care. Combining classic pieces with more up-to-date contributions, it includes examples taken from current domestic and international initiatives and draws on humanist, materialist, feminist and constructionalist perspectives. The Sociology and Politics of Health covers: * ideology and policy * social stratification * professionalisation * the experience of health and illness. * This reader offers health studies students, nurses and other health professionals an invaluable introduction to an increasingly important field of social inquiry.

Health care systems, the role of health professionals and the experience of health and illness are all undergoing change and development as we enter the twenty-first century. The Sociology and Politics of Health is a collection of key readings through which to explore the sociological and political dimensions of health, illness and health care. Combining classic pieces with more up-to-date contributions, it includes examples taken from current domestic and international initiatives and draws on humanist, materialist, feminist and constructionalist perspectives. The Sociology and Politics of Health covers: * ideology and policy * social stratification * professionalisation * the experience of health and illness. * This reader offers health studies students, nurses and other health professionals an invaluable introduction to an increasingly important field of social inquiry.

Health and Exclusion is a pioneering examination of those policies and practices of exclusion currently experienced by health ''customers'' in the UK. Chapters document examples of exclusion in a number of controversial areas, including: *the impact of poverty on the health of children *exclusion in maternity care *exclusion of those with mental health problems *exclusion of the elderly in health care *the silenced voice of the patient *barriers to recruitment and advancement within the health professions. The authors challenge whether New Labour policies sufficiently address the inequalities in health experienced by some sectors of society. Moreover they suggest that health professionals at times actively contribute to exclusion and suggest strategies and practices to combat marginalisation and resist exclusion.