This book provides a critical assessment of developments in health and healthcare policy. Primarily focusing on the UK, the chapters cover issues such as the policy-making process; the development of the NHS; health care governance; health promotion; and the comparative analysis of health care systems within the EU and US. Each chapter brings together social and political themes to offers a unique combination of theory, historical detail, and wider social commentary.

Key Concepts in Health Studies provides a much needed guide to the central concepts used across the subject, and offers the reader a comprehensive overview of the core topics, theories and debates. Drawing together the fundamentals within the disciplines of health, nursing, and social policy this book is an ideal text both for students studying health in a range of academic fields, and for health and social care practitioners. From ageism to public health, and gender to obesity, the book offers an exciting guide to the multidisciplinary field.