Many welfare states are now struggling to deal with the issues and tensions raised by the growth of minority ethnic populations and increasing ethnic diversity. The fact that most societies in the developed world are now multicultural raises many challenges for policy and for the delivery of welfare services which most states have yet to address, retreating into forms of institutional racism to deny minorities the services they need. Using the UK as an exemplary case study, this much-needed book combines historical and theoretical approaches to the issue of 'race' and ethnicity within welfare provision, including an examination of how minorities experience welfare in a range of service settings. The book inspires new ways of approaching welfare and social policy, in anticipation of a society that is equal, inclusive, fair and just for all and will make essential reading for students, researchers, practitioners and policy makers

Sickle cell and thalassaemia are among the world's most common genetic conditions. They are especially common in Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia. They affect all ethnic groups but they particularly impact on minority ethnic groups in North America, Europe and Australasia. Much research has focused on clinical, laboratory and genetic studies of these conditions. Through a wide-ranging selection of readings based on social scientific research into sickle cell and thalassaemia, this book seeks to redress this imbalance. This is important as, through an examination of the different social, economic and cultural contexts of the lives of people living with sickle cell or thalassaemia, the contributors demonstrate that people are more than the sum of their genes and that their life experiences are rarely derived solely from the clinical severity of their condition but depend on the social context of their lives. Genetics and Global Public Health presents a new concluding chapter which highlights the critical nature of social science research for sickle cell and thalassaemia communities, providing key insights into the social contexts of human behaviour and analysing how societal arrangements could change to assist people living with either condition. It will be of great interest to postgraduate and research students as well as professionals working in the field of public health. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Ethnicity and Health.

Sickle cell and thalassaemia are among the world's most common genetic conditions. They are especially common in Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia. They affect all ethnic groups but they particularly impact on minority ethnic groups in North America, Europe and Australasia. Much research has focused on clinical, laboratory and genetic studies of these conditions. Through a wide-ranging selection of readings based on social scientific research into sickle cell and thalassaemia, this book seeks to redress this imbalance. This is important as, through an examination of the different social, economic and cultural contexts of the lives of people living with sickle cell or thalassaemia, the contributors demonstrate that people are more than the sum of their genes and that their life experiences are rarely derived solely from the clinical severity of their condition but depend on the social context of their lives. Genetics and Global Public Health presents a new concluding chapter which highlights the critical nature of social science research for sickle cell and thalassaemia communities, providing key insights into the social contexts of human behaviour and analysing how societal arrangements could change to assist people living with either condition. It will be of great interest to postgraduate and research students as well as professionals working in the field of public health. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Ethnicity and Health.

The UK has the fastest growing rate of obesity in Europe with one in five adults classified as being obese. The increasing incidence of obese and overweight children is of equal concern where the rates mirror those of adults. This is a practical guide for GPs practice and community nurses and other health professionals in primary care. Illustrated with case scenarios examples of good practice and practice protocols it describes how to incorporate clinical governance with best practice in preventing and managing obesity and overweight problems. The book provides templates for personal practice and professional development plans that can be used as part of GPs' revalidation portfolios. Reflective exercises at the end of each chapter help to identify learning and service needs and useful data are included on the National Obesity Forum Guidelines together with sources of information and relevant websites. Topics include effective interventions motivation and influence adult and child diets myths and co-existing medical conditions. 'What we desperately need is a reliable evidence-based workshop manual for managing obesity. This book fits the bill. Ruth Chambers and Gill Wakley have long track records for highlighting important issues in general practice. In this book they team up with experts in obesity producing a book which I suspect will develop well-thumbed pages in a short space of time.' Ian Banks in the Foreword