Healthy Societies: Policy, Practice and Obstacles

Can society be healthy, and how? Is Britain a ’healthy society’ in the 21st century?

When people ponder health, they usually consider the health of the individual, but individuals co-exist in a social environment so attention should be placed on the health of communities and populations.

Re-examining health, healthcare and societal health using the latest data and research, this book provides a clear, accessible account of the current state of play. Addressing definitions of health in individuals, communities and populations, definitions of society itself, changes in health over time and the contribution of healthcare to health and longevity, it also suggests ways of effectively tackling obstacles to improving health and healthcare in 21st century Britain.

Graham Scambler is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at UCL and founding co-editor of the journal Social Theory & Health. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, UK. His career has been committed to teaching and researching on health and healthcare and he has written many books, chapters and journal articles on these issues.