List of Contributors.

Acknowledgements

* Introduction Sarah Earle and Elaine Denny

* Section I: Nursing and the sociology of health and health care

* Introduction

* Sarah Earle & Elaine Denny

* 1. What is sociology, Keith Sharp

* 2. Why should nurses study sociology? Barbara Green

* 3. What is health? Sarah Earle

* 4. Nursing as an occupation Elaine Denny

* Section II: Inequalities and diversities in health and healthcare

* Introduction

* Sarah Earle & Elaine Denny

* 5. Gendered concerns Gayle Letherby

* 6. Contemporary perspectives on ageing Pat Chambers

* 7. Chronic illness, disabling barriers, discrimination and prejudice Nick Watson

* 8. Social Class Terry O'Donnell

* 9. Race and ethnicity Lorraine Culley & Simon Dyson

* Section III: Where Does Care Take Place?

* Introduction

* Sarah Earle & Elaine Denny

* 10. The family, health and caring Corrine Wilson & Geraldine Brown

* 11. Primary care and the community Mike Filby

* 12. Hospitals and institutions within the community Philip Shelton

* Section IV: Policy Influences on Health and Healthcare

* Introduction

* Sarah Earle & Elaine Denny

* 13. Health Policy David Cox

* 14. The management and organisation of healthcare Alistair Hewison

* 15. Health, housing and the environment Douglas McCarrick

* Conclusion

* Index