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Unwell: What Makes a Disease a Disease?

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( 68 ratings, 9 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Unwell: What Makes a Disease a Disease? by Mike McRae explores the complex nature of how society defines disease. The book delves into historical, cultural, and scientific perspectives, questioning what qualifies as sickness and examining how medical definitions have evolved. It sheds light on how diseases are perceived and classified, urging readers to reconsider the ever-changing boundaries of health and illness.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're curious about the complexities of medical science and the evolving definitions of illness. This insightful read delves into how society, culture, and science intersect to determine what qualifies as a disease, making it a compelling exploration for those interested in healthcare and the human condition.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In a world where illness seems to be everywhere, where does failing biology stop and personal responsibility begin?

Nostalgia used to be a killer nervous condition. Emotional women were once treated with a good orgasm, left-handed folk were beaten to be turned 'right', and rotten teeth pulled to cure the mentally unwell. Just who made these diseases diseases anyway? And what makes us think we understand any better today?

Unwell: What Makes a Disease a Disease? is a fascinating and insightful exploration of the ever-changing nature of illness. Using humour, historical anecdotes, scientific research, and personal stories, Mike McRae illuminates the power of disease and medical diagnoses to define who we are and how we live.

In a time when extreme violence is blamed on poor mental health, when people suffer for want of health insurance, and research dollars depend on sharp marketing campaigns, understanding the social and cultural nature of disease is vital for our wellbeingβ€”and the wellbeing of our community.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780702260315

Publisher: University of Queensland Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 September 2018

Country: Australia

Imprint: University of Queensland Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 226.0mm

Weight: 436g

About the Author

Mike McRae started his science career more than twenty ago in a hospital medical laboratory. With a passion for education he took to teaching science in London's east, followed by a year entertaining children across Australia with Questacon's Science Circus. Mike has been writing science for over a decade, working with the CSIRO, ABC and the Australian Museum to produce educational materials, to inform, and to entertain. Today he writes for the popular online news service ScienceAlert, and contributes regularly to a variety of science news and education publications. Mike is the author of Tribal Science- Brains, Beliefs & Bad Ideas (UQP).

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