This book provides readers with a single source reviewing and updating sociological theory in medical or health sociology.The booknot only addresses the major theoretical approaches in the field today, it also identifies the future directionsthese theories are likely to take in explaining the social processes affecting health and disease. Many of the chapters are written by leading medical sociologists who feature the use of theory in their everyday work, including contributions from the originaltheoristsof fundamental causes, health lifestyles, and medicalization. Theoriesfocusing on both agency and structure are included to provide a comprehensive account of this important area in medical sociology.