What do we mean by 'gender' and how does this relate to health?
How is 'biology' best understood?
What does a focus on the division of labour bring to our understanding of health work?
Is (gender) 'equity' in health possible?
How have developments such as the resurgence of emotions and the new genetics affected these and other social relations at the turn of the century?
These are just some of the questions addressed in Gender, Health and Healing in which a whole range of issues are brought together and connected to emerging concerns in contemporary life such as the new genetics and transformations in biomedical knowledge and practices. It offers a challenging assessment of gender relations and embodied practices across the public/private divide, using health and healing as paradigmatic examples.
This thought-provoking volume lies at the intersection of gender studies, the sociology of health and healing, health policy, the critical analysis of scientific knowledge and the current debates around the body, health and emotions. Bringing together new and leading scholars in the field, it provides a unique critical overview of contemporary debates in health care for an interdisciplinary readership.

About the Author
Gillian Bendelow, Mick Carpenter, Caroline Vautier and Simon Williams are all members of the Centre for Research in Health, Medicine and Society, University of Warwick.

Reviews

'Of enormous importance and utility ... offers a chronicle of the past and signals pathways for the future.' - Charlie Reilly, Inter-American Foundation

'This reviewer is clearly impressed with the quality of the ODI family of books: they get high marks for originality, scholarship and social utility - a rare combination in the development literature ... The bottom line: we have here important, attractive books with timely issues, rich documentation, realistic, practical advice. All in all, highly recommended.' - Thomas F. Carroll, Development Policy Review

Anyone who worries that academic reflection on health and illness is detached from the messiness of experience, or removed from political and moral purpose, can take heart from this volume. Leaving aside the pleasures of fiction and poetry, it is the most enjoyable read I have had in recent months. And if you think I should get out more, get hold of a copy and see for yourself. Laura Potts Healthcare

'... the most enjoyable read I have had in recent months... get hold of a copy and see for yourself.' - Health Matters

`[The ODI family of books] get high marks for originality, scholarship and social utility - a rare combination in the development literature. Furthermore they have appeal to both the specialist and the generalist, to the academically inclined as well as to the practitioner.' - Development Policy Review

`This is the first major study of its kind, a landmark in our understanding of new institutional potentials in agricultural development. Its conclusions deserve to be studied by all who are concerned with agricultural development in the South, whether as policy makers, researchers, practitioners or teachers.' - Robert Chambers, IDS, University of Sussex

`These path breaking studies show how grassroots organizations, with their limited financing and access to technical assistance, can help guide practitioners and scholars to increase the effectiveness of NGOs in the Third World.' - Mitchell A. Seligson, University of Pittsburgh

`... of enormous importance and utility ... offers a chronicle of the past and signals pathways for the future.' - Charlie Reilly, Inter-American Foundation

`...this reviewer is clearly impressed with the quality of the ODI family of books: they get high marks for originality, scholarship and social utility - a rare combination in the development literature... The bottom line: we have here important, attractive books with timely issues, rich documentation, realistic, practical advice. All in all, highly recommended.' - Thomas F. Carroll, Development Policy Review

`The case study volumes are goldmines.' - John Clark, World Bank

`All four [books] are very thoroughly researched, very comprehensive and highly recommended.' - International Agricultural Development

Book Information
ISBN 9780415235730
Author Gill Bendelow
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 612g