In this volume, Cockerham (sociology and Center for Social Medicine, U. of Alabama at Birmingham) compiles 24 chapters on topics in medical and health sociology. Coverage encompasses theory, social class, racial and gender stratification, stress, and health care delivery and professions, as well as bioethics, genetics and society, newly emerging infectious diseases, and links to neuroscience. An international group of contributors working in sociology, health and society, anthropology, bioethics, and other fields also discuss the changing doctor-patient relationship, changes to the US and British healthcare systems, health and religion, complementary and alternative medicine, global healthcare systems, and genetics. All chapters in this edition are on substantive topics; country or regional perspectives are not included. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)