In recent years there have been major developments in how long term conditions are managed and so it is important nurses understand the rationale behind policy initiatives and their implications for practice. This timely book provides a unique examination of the sociology surrounding long term conditions and the experiences of the patients who have them. It examines the social context of chronic illness and contains individual chapters on the common long term conditions present in the United Kingdom today.

ELAINE DENNY is Professor of Health Sociology and Head of Health Policy and Public Health Division at Birmingham City University, UK. She has a background in hospital and community nursing and taught health sociology to students on health related courses for 20 years. Elaine has co-authored with Sarah Earle a health sociology text Sociology for Nurses.


SARAH EARLE is Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the Open University. She has taught sociology as applied to health and healthcare for over 15 years and has published widely in this field. Sarah has co-authored with Elaine Denny a health sociology text Sociology for Nurses.