The Health of Populations

General Theories and Particular Realities

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, History, Public Health
Cover of the book The Health of Populations by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D., Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D. ISBN: 9780190294670
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: September 28, 2006
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
ISBN: 9780190294670
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: September 28, 2006
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

In the maelstrom of current public health debate over the social determinants of health, this book offers a well-balanced discussion on the roots of prevalent strains of thought on the matter. While this area of research deals in complex problems, it is often dominated by those who deploy rather categorical, partisan positions, citing from a wide range of contradictory statistical studies. Stephen Kunitz brings a measured, balanced and independent perspective to bear on the debate, taking a step back from current arguments to look at the fundamental issues through a socio-historical lens. Part I describes how ideas about the costs and benefits of industrialization, and about the causes of disease, have been used by writers from different ideological persuasions to explain the health of populations. Part II focuses on some of the ideas that have been particularly influential in contemporary debates: factors such as standard of living, community and its loss, inequality, and globalization. The fact that these have been used to support differing explanations of the determinants of population health suggests that there are no easy generalizations in a field with so many discrepant findings. Scientists often ignore anomalous findings in the interests of advancing a particular paradigm, until the anomalies outweigh the norm and a new paradigm is created. This book argues that in considering social determinants of health, no meaningful over-arching explanations may be possible. Rather, it is by immersion in the reality of particular contexts - work settings, historical periods, geopolitical regions, and governmental credos - that we may gain a better understanding of the way in which social forces shape patterns of health and disease.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the maelstrom of current public health debate over the social determinants of health, this book offers a well-balanced discussion on the roots of prevalent strains of thought on the matter. While this area of research deals in complex problems, it is often dominated by those who deploy rather categorical, partisan positions, citing from a wide range of contradictory statistical studies. Stephen Kunitz brings a measured, balanced and independent perspective to bear on the debate, taking a step back from current arguments to look at the fundamental issues through a socio-historical lens. Part I describes how ideas about the costs and benefits of industrialization, and about the causes of disease, have been used by writers from different ideological persuasions to explain the health of populations. Part II focuses on some of the ideas that have been particularly influential in contemporary debates: factors such as standard of living, community and its loss, inequality, and globalization. The fact that these have been used to support differing explanations of the determinants of population health suggests that there are no easy generalizations in a field with so many discrepant findings. Scientists often ignore anomalous findings in the interests of advancing a particular paradigm, until the anomalies outweigh the norm and a new paradigm is created. This book argues that in considering social determinants of health, no meaningful over-arching explanations may be possible. Rather, it is by immersion in the reality of particular contexts - work settings, historical periods, geopolitical regions, and governmental credos - that we may gain a better understanding of the way in which social forces shape patterns of health and disease.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Body in Pain:The Making and Unmaking of the World by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Building Trust by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Darwinism as Religion by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book ADHD by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Children and the Law by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book What Hitler Knew by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Uncertain Empire by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Musical Symbolism in the Operas of Debussy and Bartok by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Local Fusions by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Cello, Bow and You: Putting it All Together by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book The Claim of Reason by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Negro with a Hat by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Decade of Nightmares by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book Creating a Female Dominion in American Reform, 1890-1935 by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
Cover of the book English Vocabulary Elements by Stephen J. Kunitz, M.D.
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy