This collection of essays critically evaluates the treatment received by women as recipients and providers of health care. It looks at how their role and needs are perceived and constructed by the law, by health care organizations, by the health care professions and by commercial organizations operating in the health care sector.
After introducing the theoretical and applied feminist issues in health care examined in eight essays by UK legal and social policy scholars, Morris and Nott (U. of Liverpool) further probe such key themes resonating beyond the UK as the medicalization of women's lives; and barriers to women in contributing to health care professions and policies, and accessing adequate health care. Other topics analyzed include sterilization of retarded women, "old moral prejudices disguised as new ethical dilemmas" regarding HIV- positive women and infertility treatment, psychologizing abortion and pregnancy, and feminist perspectives on the World Health Organization. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
