Research in the Sociology of Health Care covers health, health care services, and sociological concerns. Each volume addresses an issue of importance in both the US health care system and health care systems across the world.  Previously covered topics include: Research on social inequalities  Social disparities  Chronic diseases  Population health  Research on access, quality and utilization of health care services  Theoretical, qualitative and quantitative papers deal with complex understandings of macro system issues in the following areas: The impact of the patient and individual factors on health and health care  The impact of the provider and interaction between providers and patients  Gender, race and poverty as sources of inequality in modern societies Articles vary greatly in their coverage, with some focusing on the US as a whole, and others on specific sections of the US or subgroups within the population such as African American women or the elderly. Other articles focus on issues from an international or comparative perspective.   Each volume includes information that is essential reading for medical sociologists and people working in other social science disciplines studying health-related issues. The volume also provides vital information for health services researchers, policy analysts and public health researchers.