An authoritative, topical, and comprehensive reference to the key concepts and most important traditional and contemporary issues in medical sociology. Contains 35 chapters by recognized experts in the field, both established and rising young scholarsCovers standard topics in the field as well as new and engaging issues such as bioterrorism, bioethics, and infectious diseaseChapters are thematically arranged to cover the major issues of the sub-disciplineGlobal range of contributors and an international perspective