This long-respected reference reflects the latest developments in the field, and surveys current topics in medical sociology-including ecological factors in illness and disease, technology in medical care, and health care in developing countries. Comprised of readings by leading specialists, these selections probe into specific policy issues concerning medical care, mental health, and addictive diseases. Students receive a historical as well as contemporary perspective of the field. Provides students with topics of gender and health, disability, emotions and health, experience of illness, managed care, quality of life, sociology and bioethics, and intersections between medical sociology and other social science health disciplines. NEW - A diverse group of authors - Both institutionally and geographically. Gives students a balance of different perspectives in the field. Coverage of a wide variety of topics-e.g., the history of medical sociology; social epidemiology; aging; and medical technology and education.