ABSTRACT

In our post-welfare society, health is increasingly viewed as a commodity and individuals are defined as 'health care consumers'. At the same time, the notion that the state should care for the health of its citizens is being replaced by an expectation that citizens should play a more active role in caring for themselves. These developments are by no means uncontentious.
Consuming Health explores the diverse meanings and applications of the term 'consumer' in the field of health care and the implications for policy-making, health care delivery and experiences of health care. Contributors are well-known innovative researchers and lecturers from the Australia, the UK and Canada. Between them they cover a wide range of topics - from the medicalisation of the menopause to the participation of consumer groups in the national policy process - to create an original and thought-provoking text for students and practitioners in the field of health care.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

Consumerism in health care

part |2 pages

PART I Consumerism in context: theoretical perspectives

part |2 pages

PART II Consumerism in practice: manifestations and

chapter 8|15 pages

The active citizen works hard: living with chronic heart failure M A RG ARET REID AND ALEXANDER CLARK

Living with chronic heart failure Consumerism and health

chapter 11|17 pages

Consuming men’s health: risk, ritual and ambivalence in men’s

Risk, ritual and ambivalence in men’s lifestyle magazines