For upper-division undergraduate/beginning graduate-level courses in Medical Sociology, and for Behavioral Science courses in schools of Public Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing. Offers a comprehensive overview of the most current issues in medical sociology. The standard text in the field, this best-selling introduction to medical sociology presents the most recent and relevant ideas, concepts, themes, issues, debates, and research findings. It contains first-person accounts from patients, physicians, and other health care providers. It is based on a worldwide review of the literature and provides the most recent health statistics, data, and studies available while identifying the most important trends and issues.