Cuts across perceptual psychology, art, television, film, literature, advertising, and political communication to give the reader critical insight into the holistic logic and emotional power of the images that dominate our lives.

Why do health inequalities exist? How do gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity or class affect health? What is the healthcare impact of technology? How does climate change relate to health and illness and what does sociology have to teach us about pandemics? This textbook exists to answer these complex questions providing a complete overview of all the key sociological debates, themes, theories and research. Key features: Takes a global perspective providing comparative examples throughout Grapples with the most pressing healthcare debates including climate change and environment, pandemics and society, racism, health inequality and gender identity Breaks the complexities down using extremely clear language throughout Lecturers and instructors can also access a range of additional teaching resources available from the SAGE website. Though aimed primarily at students on health and social care courses and professions allied to medicine, this textbook provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the social aspects of health.

"Human trafficking" brings to mind gangsters forcing people, often women and girls, to engage in dangerous activities against their will, under threat of violence. However, human trafficking is not limited to the sex trade, and this picture is inadequate. It occurs in many different industries---domestic service, construction, factory labour, on farms and fishing boats---and targets people from all over the globe. Human trafficking is a much more complicated and nuanced picture than its common representations. Victims move through multiple categories along their journey and at their destination, shifting from smuggled migrant to trafficking victim and back again several times. The emergence of a criminal pyramid scheme also makes many victims complicit in their own exploitation. Finally, the threat posed by the involvement of organised crime is little understood. The profit motives and violence that come with such crime make human trafficking more dangerous for its victims and difficult to detect or address. Drawing on field research in source, transit and destination countries, the authors analyse trafficking from four countries: Albania, Eritrea, Nigeria and Vietnam. What emerges is a business model that evolves in response to changes in legislation, governance and law enforcement capacities.

Understanding the Sociology of Health, Third Edition is an accessible introduction to a subject which is often shrouded in jargon. Providing case studies and exercises to really get students thinking, this book shows how sociology provides the means to answer complex questions about health and illness, such as why health inequalities exist. The new edition includes new chapters on the history of health and healing; sexuality; sport, fitness and exercise; and death and dying.

'The authors are to be commended on a very clear text, easily communicating the insights of a wide range of theoretical perspectives, and marshalling clear empirical evidence for the arguments of the sociology of health' - Health Sociology Review 'The book is well set out and easy to read with signposts provided throughout linking key concepts and topics to aid understanding. The diagrams and tables are clear and well labelled, adding to the reader's knowledge of the topic' - Accident and Emergency Nursing 'In their introduction to Understanding Health Barry and Yuill define their aim in writing this book as "to provide an introduction to the sociology of health to both health and social science students". To fulfill this aim a generalist and non-specialist approach is needed and unsurprisingly this is the one that they take. However, they do not fall into the potential of trap of providing the glib and simplistic approach that is characteristic of some of the other teaching texts with similar aims ...In summary Barry and Yuill have produced a clearly written and organized basic text on the sociology of health. It is properly and commendably sociological and may well have a market beyond its modest aim of non-specialist courses - Critical Public Health 'Lucidly written in simple language to explain very complex sociological concepts, it is well-rooted in history while providing the latest developments in the field of health... an immensely readable book' - The National Medical Journal of India 'Clearly and concisely explains what sociology is and how it contributes to our understanding of health. The text serves anyone wishing to broaden their own understanding of the topic or as an introduction for anyone new to the field. In all, it is an informative text that will be a valuable addition to the bookshelf of any student dietitian or those involved in working with, or teaching health care students' - Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics A comprehensive and accessible introduction to the sociology of health and illness, written for students on a wide range of courses. This book clearly explains what sociology is and how it contributes to our understanding of health. Beginning with an overview of the discipline, the authors set out the different theoretical perspectives offered by sociology. They describe how, for centuries, our understanding of health and illness has been dominated by the medical model and a focus on disease processes. In contrast, they show how sociology provides a broader understanding of health and inequalities in the health of populations by taking account of factors such as age, social class, gender and environment. The book goes on to explore the social context of health care, the role of different professions (particularly the professions allied to medicine) and the organizational constraints on those involved in health care delivery. This textbook is designed for students studying sociology as part of a wide range of courses. To help them get the most from the book, signposts are provided throughout that show where related topics appear elsewhere in the text. Other useful features include discussion points, definitions of key terms, and suggestions for further reading.