This book aims to critically examine the contribution of the discipline of sociology and a number of theoretical sociological perspectives, from classical to postmodern to our understanding of health, illness and medicine. Specifically, the broad areas covered in this book include: critical perspectives on key sociological theories and themes in the sociology of health and illness including the profession of medicine, doctor-patient relationships, medicalisation, challenges to biomedicine, lay perspectives and beliefs, contemporary aspects such as health promotion, the new genetics, and complementary and alternative medicine. It is my hope that this book will enable you the reader to reflect critically on the sociological perspectives and concepts to your own context and experience of health, medicine, illness and public health practice. The intriguing discussions are organised in the following chapters: introduction - the history and philosophy of medicine; key concepts in sociology - an introduction; sociological theory - from classical to modern; sociological theory - critical and contemporary perspective; doctors, nurses and patients - working for health; challenging the ;medical model' - lay perspectives and the contribution of sociology; health promotion and sociology; complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); Sociology and the "New Genetics".