Geriatrics and Ageing in the Soviet Union: Medical, Political and Social Contexts

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Dr Susan Grant (Liverpool John Moores University, UK) Dr Isaac McKean Scarborough (Leiden University, The Netherlands)

Geriatrics and Ageing in the Soviet Union

Medical, Political and Social Contexts

Dr Susan Grant (Liverpool John Moores University, UK), Dr Isaac McKean Scarborough (Leiden University, The Netherlands)

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English

Bloomsbury Academic
22 August 2024

European history; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Social & cultural history; History of medicine

This open access book brings together an eclectic cast of scholars in related disciplines to examine ageing in the Soviet Union, covering the practice of geriatrics, the science of gerontology, and the experience of growing old. Chapters in the book focus on concepts and themes that analyse Soviet ageing in its medical, political and social contexts, both in the Soviet Union and internationally.

Ageing was hardly a uniquely Soviet phenomenon: over the past fifty years, moreover, governments and societies have been dealing with steady increases in their ageing populations. Almost paradoxically, however, societal focus on this ageing population, its lives, and its social impact remains extremely limited.

Compared to most sciences, gerontology is pitifully underfunded; geriatrics is amongst the least prestigious branches of medicine; and while the world’s population is growing undeniably older, great disagreement remains over what can and should be done in response. These were the same challenges that the USSR faced in the post-war decades (1945-1991), and the contributions included in this volume help to flesh out and contextualize the example of Soviet gerontology and geriatrics as one possible model of response.

Geriatrics and Ageing in the Soviet Union captures the growing interest in this important subject, demonstrating the influence of ageing on Soviet science and society and the impact of Soviet gerontology and geriatrics at a global level.

The book is available under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the Wellcome Trust and Liverpool John Moores University.

Edited by: Dr Susan Grant (Liverpool John Moores University UK), Dr Isaac McKean Scarborough (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781350273832
ISBN 10: 135027383X
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 22 August 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Susan Grant is Reader in Modern European History at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. She is the author of Physical Culture and Sport in Soviet Society (2013). Isaac McKean Scarborough is University Lecturer in Russian and Eurasian Studies at the Institute for History, Leiden University, The Netherlands.

Reviews for Geriatrics and Ageing in the Soviet Union: Medical, Political and Social Contexts

A fascinating exploration of a neglected topic that is so important for our understanding of the last days of the USSR, as well as issues for our aging society. * Tricia Starks, Professor of History, University of Arkansas, USA *