Health & disease have become major subjects for investigation, comment & debate. Health & Disease: A Reader is an interdisciplinary collection of articles which reflect the varied & sometimes controversial perspectives within these debates. Drawn from a wide range of sources, including the biomedical & social sciences, history, literature & lay accounts, these articles address all aspects of health & disease. Health & Disease: A Reader is: * the third edition of a best-selling & widely used textbook * revised & updated, with a range of new articles * a unique collection of articles, including extracts from 'classic' texts, specially commissioned articles & many articles which are often unavailable elsewhere * grouped into seven key areas, with editorial introductions which provide a context & guide to the main themes, the articles & their authors * the reader for Open University course U205 Health & Disease * specifically designed with the needs of students & teachers in mind * an essential teaching tool & resource. Health & Disease: A Reader will be essential reading for all students & teachers of health studies, nursing, medicine, social policy, social work & sociology. It will also be of interest to researchers in the natural & social sciences, health care professionals, policy makers & analysts, & anyone interested in health, disease & health care.