Topically organized by leading causes of morbidity and mortality, Applying Medical Sociology: Social Factors in Health uses salient examples to explain the social context of illness and disease. By applying sociological perspectives to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and strokes, the text sheds light on the ways in which such illnesses are not only medical disorders, but also social problems that require social solutions.
Linda Treiber is a Professor of Sociology at Kennesaw State University. She has taught courses in medical sociology for over a decade. She holds a PhD in Sociology from North Carolina State University, an MS in Nursing from The Ohio State University, a BS in Nursing from Ashland University, and a BA in Sociology from Miami University. Dr. Treiber studies the unintended consequences of rational action and the social sources of premature death and illness including medical error, occupational injury, and the mass marketing of fast foods, prescription drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Ongoing projects include a qualitative study of patients' perceptions of health care mistakes. Dr. Treiber also studies the relationship between technology, pace of work, and medication administration errors among Registered Nurses. Dr. Treiber has co-authored multiple refereed articles on medical sociology and nursing topics in peer-reviewed journals including Illness, Crisis & Loss; Health Sociology Review; Qualitative Health Research; Journal for Nurse Practitioners; Community, Work & Family; and Journal of Nursing Care Quality. She has over 30 years of applied experience in health care, holding positons as cardiac telemetry unit nurse manager, administrative supervisor, evaluation consultant, and staff nurse. She has served as the Assistant Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Kennesaw State University, President of the Georgia Sociological Association, and is currently co-editor of The Journal of Public and Professional Sociology. Evelina Sterling is a Lecturer of Sociology at Kennesaw State University. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Georgia State University, a master's degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor's of science in Biology from the University of Mary Washington. Dr. Sterling studies issues related to medical sociology, including gerontology, chronic diseases, community health, mental health, reproductive health, and maternal and child health. She is the co-author of several publications on these topics, including five consumer health books--Your Child's Teeth: A Complete Guide for Parents (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013); Having Your Baby through Egg Donation (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2013); Before Your Time: The Early Menopause Survival Guide (Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 2010); Budgeting for Infertility: How to Bring Home a Baby without Breaking the Bank (Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 2009); Living with POCS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Addicus Books, 2002). Dr. Sterling has over 20 years of applied experience working in the fields of medical sociology and public health, particularly designing, implementing, evaluating, and researching innovative programs aimed at improving health outcomes. Projects have included working with the American Association for Health Education, the American Heart Association, Atlanta Regional Commission, Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Emory University, Fuqua Center for Late Life Depression, Georgia State University, Gallaudet University, Healthy Mothers Health Babies National Coalition, and the Visiting Nurse Health System. She has held various leadership positions on the boards of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, the American Diabetes Association (Women's Health and Cultural Competence Advisory Committees), Rachel's Well, the Atlanta Area Evaluation Association, and the Society for Public Health Education. Dr. Sterling is also a master health education specialist (MCHES) and holds post-graduate certificates in non-profit management and data sciences.
