An engagement with public health concerns and aspects of social theory
such as the structure/agency debate is crucial to medical geography.
The imperatives underlying this engagement center on place, a geograph
ical concept which is prominent in both social theory and recent healt
h philosophy. Without detracting from its distinguished heritage, this
reformed medical geography will analyze issues such as the consequenc
es of illness and health service provision for both personal well-bein
g and the collective experience of place by communities.