Waveland Press - Global Health - An Anthropological Perspective by Merrill Singer, Pamela I. Erickson

Affordable and conceptually accessible, this succinct volume captures the distinctive anthropological perspective on global health issues for undergraduates in the social and health sciences. Ideal for professors who want to add an experiential human face, a cultural dimension, and an emic understanding of health in cross-cultural contexts to interdisciplinary course content, Global Health exposes the day-to-day health challenges people around the world face. Key to its message is that, despite strides in improving worldwide health, human impacts on the environment, violent social conflict, and increasing social inequality diminish the success of global health initiatives to protect against illness, disability, and death.

Readers, gripped by the impact of undeniable, far-reaching realities such as global warming, infectious disease, food insecurity, water crises, war and genocide, and refugee crises, will learn to apply a holistic, anthropological framework in search of solutions to such complex biosocial conditions.

“While I normally do not incorporate ‘length’ or ‘size’ of a book into my decision making, this encapsulated volume is content dense and complete. In addition, given the difficulties students currently face economically, the cost is definitely a consideration.” — Melissa A. Kirkendall, Maui College

“This is an excellent little book raising the consciousness of students about the toxic threats in our environment, its consequences, and what we can do about it.” — Ron Reminick, Cleveland State University

“This is an astounding text that encompasses the global perspective through the eyes of anthropologists. The scholarship is holistic and very comprehensive. I plan to adopt it for my cultural diversity in health and illness course.” —Jody Glittenberg, Metropolitan State University

“Wonderfully concise yet example-filled, this important contribution to a new field of study introduces readers to how the theory and uses of medical anthropology can help tackle mounting challenges of global health.” — Peter J. Brown, Emory University

1. Global Health and the Anthropological Paradigm
Threats to Global Health / A Conceptual Journey / The Mission of Global Health / Contours of Global Health Today / The Anthropological Approach / Conclusion

2. The Importance of Culture in Health
The Anthropological Lens / Health Inequities: Structural Causes / Structural Health Inequalities: Contextual Expressions / The Emic Perspective and Subjective Experience / Conclusion

3. Environment and Globalization
Environmental Health / Global Warming / Storms and Disasters / Threats to the Air We Breathe / Poisons around Us / Pluralea and the Human Health Future / Infectious Diseases, Chronic Diseases, and Mental Health / Syndemics / Globalization and Health / Conclusion

4. Basic Survival Needs and Their Privatization
Diet and Health in Human History / Knowing Hunger / Understanding Food Insecurity: The Anthropological Approach / Social Factors that Cause Food Insecurity / A Human Rights Approach to Food Insecurity / Health and the Global Water Crisis / Health and the Privatization of Water / Health Care and the Social Welfare Agenda / Conclusion

5. Our Changing World
Complex Humanitarian Emergencies / War and Genocide / Biohazards since 9/11 / The Refugee Crisis / The Tobacco and Alcohol Epidemics / Conclusion

6. A Brighter or Bleaker Future for Global Health?
Are We on the Road to a Healthier World? / Careers for Anthropologists in Global Health

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