Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective [Paperback]

Ann McElroy (Author), Patricia K Townsend (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0813338212 | ISBN-13: 978-0813338217 | Edition: Fourth Edition

The newest edition of the premier teaching text in medical anthropology is thoroughly revised to reflect new developments in the field. Widespread awareness of emerging infectious diseases and global environmental change makes the ecological perspective of the McElroy-Townsend text even more relevant to students than when it was first published. Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective integrates biocultural, environmental, and evolutionary approaches to the study of human health. Research by human biologists and paleopathologists illuminates the history and prehistory of disease, while the work of cultural and applied anthropologists addresses contemporary health issues. Celebrating the book’s 25th anniversary, the Fourth Edition includes increased coverage of emerging diseases, evolutionary medicine, the homeless, health disparities, and forensic anthropology. New chapters treat reproduction and careers in applied medical anthropology. New “Profiles” (case studies) on stress and toxic chemicals have been added and other profiles have been updated, further augmenting the classroom-friendly features the book is noted for.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ann McElroy is Associate Professor of Anthropology at State University of New York at Buffalo, where Patricia K. Townsend is a Research Associate Professor. Ann McElroy is Associate Professor of Anthropology at State University of New York at Buffalo, where Patricia K. Townsend is a Research Associate Professor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; Fourth Edition edition (August 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813338212
• ISBN-13: 978-0813338217
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dry Reading, But Useful, February 15, 2002

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Sharon E. Cathcart "Why, yes, I am an author" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Medical Anthropology In Ecological Perspective: Third Edition (Paperback)

McElroy and Townsend's medical anthropology text is one of the classics in its field. I personally find the going very slow; I don't think that academic texts necessarily need to be presented in so pedantic a format. However, the information contained in the studies is quite useful to the anthropology student's understanding of disease in a cultural and ecological context.