Synopses & Reviews
Health, Illness and Wellbeing: Perspectives and Social Determinants introduces students to the important ideas that underlie the field of public health today. Written for beginning students, it provides an overview of the forces and trends that combine to shape the health of individuals, communities, and populations, within a conceptual framework of determinants of health.
The book examines the biological, environmental, social, cultural and economic determinants of health, within the context of their causes and interrelationships. It is structured to enable students to understand and reflect upon health; how it is informed by biological, environmental, and social factors that affect whole populations. More advanced sections of the book focus on the social, cultural and economic determinants of health to show the ways in which the experience of health is influenced by the characteristics of the society in which people live.
Through its perspective of considering the causes of health, rather than simply the effects of health status in society, the book provides students with the basis for a career in any of the health sciences where insight into the meaning of health will allow for the development of effective practice and greater sensitivity to the needs of the community.
About the Author
Professor Pranee Liamputtong, Personal Chair in Public Health at the School of Public Health, La Trobe University. Pranee has a particular interest in issues related to cultural and social influences on childbearing, childrearing and women's reproductive and sexual health. She has published books and a large number of papers in these areas.
Dr Rebecca Fanany, Lecturer in the School of Public Health, La Trobe University. Her research interests include the ways in which health is conceptualised; the interaction between language, culture, religion and health practices; and health status in the context of social and cultural change.
Dr Glenda Verrinder, Senior Lecturer in the La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University. Her current teaching, research and publications reflect her interest in population health with respect to health promotion and ecological sustainability.
Table of Contents
1. Health, Illness and Well-being: An Introduction
PART 1 PERSPECTIVES OF HEALTH, ILLNESS AND WELL-BEING
2. Introduction to Pathogens and Impacts on Health and Illness
3. Introduction to Epidemiology
4. Human Genetics and Inheritance: Biological, Social, Cultural and Environmental Perspective
5. Chronic Illness and the Genome
6. Ageing and health: Biological, social and environmental perspectives
7. Introduction to Health Promotion
8. Anthropogenic Change and Human Health
9. Climate Change: Drivers and Health Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for the Health Sector
10. Health and the Living Environment
PART 2 SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, ILLNESS AND WELL-BEING
11. Social Determinants of Health: Historical Developments and Global Implications
12. Health as a Social Construct
13. Health throughout the Life Course
14. Language, Culture, and Health
15. Deviance, Difference, and Stigma as Social Determinants of Health
16. Health and the Media
17. Health and Social Justice
18. The Economics of Health and Disease
19. The Social Determinants and the Health Care System