Unhealthy Cities ─ Poverty, Race, And Place In America

The purpose of this book is to show the important role that space and place plays in the health of urban residents, particularly those living in high poverty ghettos. The book brings together research and writing from a variety of disciplines to demonstrate the health costs of being poor in America’s cities. Both authors are committed to raising awareness of structural factors that promote poverty and injustice in a society that proclaims its commitment to equality of opportunity. Our health is often dramatically affected by where we live; some parts of the city seem to be designed to make people sick. The book is intended for students and professionals in urban sociology, medical sociology, public health, and community planning.

Kevin Fitzpatrick is Professor and Jones Chair in Community, Department of Sociology at the University of Arkansas.
Mark LaGory is Professor and Chair of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

1. The Importance of Place 2. Humans as Spatial Animals 3. The Ecology of Everyday Urban Life 4. The Sociology of Health 5. Cities as Mosaics of Risk and Protection 6. Health Risks among Special Populations in the City 7. Promoting Health: Place-Based Solutions to Place-Based Problems