Starting from the premise that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of social life, this book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health.
Divided into three parts, the introductory chapter sets out the general context of social change, consumption and debate around the rise of public interest in CAM. The first part goes on to argue for and against different classifications of CAM, leading into a discussion of how CAM developed in a political and historical context. The Reader is invited to critically assess the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do. The second part focuses on the question of what people want, the changing and contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM. This leads to a focus on 'therapeutic relationships'. The final part of the book examines the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place and the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used.
This book will appeal to everyone who is concerned with or has an interest in CAM. It will be of particular interest to people working in the areas of CAM, health and social care and the voluntary sector. Together with its accompanying text, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Structures and Safeguards, it forms the core text for the Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

With the proportion of people between young adulthood and the third age growing in relation to children and young people in western industrialised societies, there is an increasing need for a comprehensive look at the past, present and future of adult lives. These adult lives are defined by the experience of history, are structurally specific, and draw upon different interpersonal, lifestyle and cultural resources and it is important to recognise the impact of the past and the present on future adult lives. 'Adult Lives', co-published by The Policy Press and the Open University, is a diverse collection of readings, rich in resources, from all stages of life. These readings contribute to a shared life course perspective to understand how those living and working together in an ageing society relate to each other. The originality and appeal of this Reader lies in its holistic approach to understanding ageing in adulthood through biography and auto-biography that is applicable to all, including those developing policy and in practice, and will make essential reading for those who wishing to contextualise ageing, understand how lives can be transformed through policy and practice, and consider the lived experience

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of medicine. This book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health. It: provides an overview of social change, consumption and debates arising from the increased public interest in CAM, arguing for and against different classifications discusses how CAM developed in a political and historical context, critically assessing the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do analyzes the question of what people want, the changing contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM examines the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place explores the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used. The book is one of three core texts for the forthcoming Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (first presented in February 2005).

With the proportion of people between young adulthood and the third age growing in relation to children and young people in western industrialised societies, there is an increasing need for a comprehensive look at the past, present and future of adult lives. These adult lives are defined by the experience of history, are structurally specific, and draw upon different interpersonal, lifestyle and cultural resources and it is important to recognise the impact of the past and the present on future adult lives. 'Adult Lives', co-published by The Policy Press and the Open University, is a diverse collection of readings, rich in resources, from all stages of life. These readings contribute to a shared life course perspective to understand how those living and working together in an ageing society relate to each other. The originality and appeal of this Reader lies in its holistic approach to understanding ageing in adulthood through biography and auto-biography that is applicable to all, including those developing policy and in practice, and will make essential reading for those who wishing to contextualise ageing, understand how lives can be transformed through policy and practice, and consider the lived experience

The second edition of A Reader in Promoting Public Health brings together a selection of readings that explore and challenge current thinking in the field of multidisciplinary public health. This thoroughly updated and revised new edition addresses contemporary issues that are high on the agenda of public health, and enables the reader to understand and negotiate this broad and dynamic field of study. The book is organised into five sections, each with an accessible and student-friendly introduction that pulls together the key themes and issues: - Back to the future? Reflections on multidisciplinary public health takes stock of the scope and ambition of contemporary public health; - Research for evidence-based practice explores research methods, tools and techniques for developing effective public health practice; - Promoting health through public policy examines policy challenges, responses and key debates at national, international and global level : - Promoting public health at a local level explores public health and health promotion in a participatory and community context; - Public health for the 21st century: whose voices? whose values? examines debates which expose alternative futures, priorities and boundaries for public health work. This second edition includes new material on health inequalities, health protection, social marketing and health promotion, as well as highlighting the practical requirements of public health work through 'grass roots' accounts of practice. It will be essential reading for all students of public health and health promotion, as well as for health and social care professionals.

Policy and Practice in Promoting Public Health offers an up-to-date analysis of the key policy and practice issues involved in promoting public health - from local and community levels, to international settings. The book equips readers with a sound understanding of the policy process, and has a critical edge that encourages readers to reflect on how those involved in multidisciplinary public health can use and influence policy in order to inform practice. Key issues discussed in the book include: " the impact of globalization on health " developments of public health since New Labour, and the political tensions arising from the modernization of the NHS " changes in theoretical, conceptual and ideological perspectives on multidisciplinary public health, and the shift towards reducing health inequalities " the role of health workers, local authority workers, the voluntary sector, individuals, and families in public health practice " participatory and community approaches to promoting public health " the ethical dilemmas associated with working at community and local levels. Each section of the book concludes with a case study, which pulls together the key themes and issues raised in earlier chapters, and links theoretical, policy and practical perspectives. Policy and Practice in Promoting Public Health will be a core resource for those studying public health and health promotion across a wide range of health and social care disciplines and for professionals and training organisations involved in promoting public health.

Policy and Practice in Promoting Public Health offers an up-to-date analysis of the key policy and practice issues involved in promoting public health - from local and community levels, to international settings. The book equips readers with a sound understanding of the policy process, and has a critical edge that encourages readers to reflect on how those involved in multidisciplinary public health can use and influence policy in order to inform practice. Key issues discussed in the book include: " the impact of globalization on health " developments of public health since New Labour, and the political tensions arising from the modernization of the NHS " changes in theoretical, conceptual and ideological perspectives on multidisciplinary public health, and the shift towards reducing health inequalities " the role of health workers, local authority workers, the voluntary sector, individuals, and families in public health practice " participatory and community approaches to promoting public health " the ethical dilemmas associated with working at community and local levels. Each section of the book concludes with a case study, which pulls together the key themes and issues raised in earlier chapters, and links theoretical, policy and practical perspectives. Policy and Practice in Promoting Public Health will be a core resource for those studying public health and health promotion across a wide range of health and social care disciplines and for professionals and training organisations involved in promoting public health.

The second edition of A Reader in Promoting Public Health brings together a selection of readings that explore and challenge current thinking in the field of multidisciplinary public health. This thoroughly updated and revised new edition addresses contemporary issues that are high on the agenda of public health, and enables the reader to understand and negotiate this broad and dynamic field of study. The book is organised into five sections, each with an accessible and student-friendly introduction that pulls together the key themes and issues: - Back to the future? Reflections on multidisciplinary public health takes stock of the scope and ambition of contemporary public health; - Research for evidence-based practice explores research methods, tools and techniques for developing effective public health practice; - Promoting health through public policy examines policy challenges, responses and key debates at national, international and global level : - Promoting public health at a local level explores public health and health promotion in a participatory and community context; - Public health for the 21st century: whose voices? whose values? examines debates which expose alternative futures, priorities and boundaries for public health work. This second edition includes new material on health inequalities, health protection, social marketing and health promotion, as well as highlighting the practical requirements of public health work through 'grass roots' accounts of practice. It will be essential reading for all students of public health and health promotion, as well as for health and social care professionals.

What, exactly, is promoting public health activity? How should we promote public health? Whose values are most important? Which theories can help inform health promoting practice? Theory and Research in Promoting Public Health is an important text that addresses these questions, exploring the key concepts, debates and issues involved in multi-disciplinary public health. The book considers the complex and diverse nature of public health and helps readers critically appraise the theories, research and policies that inform multidisciplinary public health practice. This timely and comprehensive book: " considers the wide range of settings, people and methods that are involved in public health activities " introduces key theoretical perspectives " shows how research and knowledge directly inform public health interventions " provides an analysis of how research can be used in the planning and evaluation of public health initiatives. " encourages critical awareness and reflection. Theory and Research in Promoting Public Health will be a core text for those studying public health and health promotion across a wide range of health and social care disciplines. It will also be an invaluable resource for professionals and training organisations involved in promoting public health.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of medicine. This book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health.
The book provides an overview of social change, consumption and debates arising from the increased public interest in CAM, arguing for and against different classifications. It discusses how CAM developed in a political and historical context, critically assessing the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do. The book continues by analyzing the question of what people want, the changing contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM. Examining the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place the book explores the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used.
The book is one of three core texts for the forthcoming Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (first presented in February 2005).

What, exactly, is promoting public health activity? How should we promote public health? Whose values are most important? Which theories can help inform health promoting practice? Theory and Research in Promoting Public Health is an important text that addresses these questions, exploring the key concepts, debates and issues involved in multi-disciplinary public health. The book considers the complex and diverse nature of public health and helps readers critically appraise the theories, research and policies that inform multidisciplinary public health practice. This timely and comprehensive book: " considers the wide range of settings, people and methods that are involved in public health activities " introduces key theoretical perspectives " shows how research and knowledge directly inform public health interventions " provides an analysis of how research can be used in the planning and evaluation of public health initiatives. " encourages critical awareness and reflection. Theory and Research in Promoting Public Health will be a core text for those studying public health and health promotion across a wide range of health and social care disciplines. It will also be an invaluable resource for professionals and training organisations involved in promoting public health.