Social and Community Medicine for Students

Book excerpt: Social and Community Medicine for Students presents an extensive examination of the application of medical sociology to community treatment. It discusses the principles behind the scope and methods of epidemiology. It addresses studies in attitudes and illness. Some of the topics covered in the book are the sick role in Western Societies; sickness behavior in a traditional society; statistics vital to social medicine; geographical pathology of cancer; scope and methods of epidemiology; possibilities and limitations of health education; and health in industry and external disability. The definition and description of social provisions for health and welfare are fully covered. An in-depth account of the common features and development of social medicine are provided. The epidemiology of the cancer of the esophagus is completely presented. A chapter is devoted to description and diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease. Another section focuses on the practical applications of social medicine. The book can provide useful information to doctors, students, and researchers.