Second Opinion Sixth Edition is an essential text for students of health sociology, introducing students to the theories, concepts and contexts needed to understand the social origins of health and illness. The book covers various sociological theories and perspectives relevant to health, including: the social patterns in the distribution of health and illness, the social construction of health and illness, and the social organisation of health care. Fully updated and with new chapters on young people's health, the social determinants of obesity and health and medical technology, Second Opinion encourages students to rethink their own pre-conceptions, and adopt a second opinion about how health, illness, and the health care system are by-products of the way a society is organised.