With thorough coverage of inequality in health care access and practice this leading textbook has been widely acclaimed by teachers as the most accessible of any available. It introduces and integrates recent research in medical sociology and emphasizes the importance of race class gender throughout. This new edition leads students through the complexities of the evolving Affordable Care Act. It significantly expands coverage of medical technology end-of-life issues and alternative and complementary health caretopics students typically debate in the classroom. Many new textboxes and enhancements in pedagogy grace this new edition which is essential in the fast-changing area of health care. New to this Edition More textboxes relating the social aspects of medicine to students lives Expanded coverage leading students through the complex impacts of the ACA and health care reform Expanded coverage of medical technology end-of-life issues and alternative and complementary health care Health and the Internet sections updated and renovated toward student assignments New end of chapter lists of terms Updated test bank