Sex, Disease, and Society: A Comparative History of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (Contributions in Medical Studies) [Hardcover]

Milton Lewis (Editor), Scott Bamber (Editor), Michael Waugh (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313294429 | ISBN-13: 978-0313294426 | Publication Date: March 30, 1997 | Edition: 1

This work identifies significant factors influencing, on the one hand, the historical pattern of sexually acquired diseases in 12 countries in Asia and the Pacific and, on the other hand, factors shaping the government and community responses to that pattern. Contributors analyze the role of supranational forces such as colonialism and economic modernization as well as distinctive national factors. The geographic scope is wide, extending from India in the west, to China in the east, to Australia in the south. The chronological scope is equally ambitious and contributors review two centuries or more of history, while also addressing the effect of the AIDS pandemic in a region of great social and economic dynamism. A number of factors including gender and economic inequality, as well as colonialism and economic growth, have been identified as important to the historical spread of sexually transmitted diseases and to the collective response of the spread. Quantitative data on disease incidence and mortality are used extensively throughout the book as are demographic, economic, and social statistics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The book makes acknowledgeable contribution to the comaprative history of STDs. It fills a hole for Asia and the Pacific in the literature. But even more important....is the specific contribution it makes to AIDS.”–Journal of Third World Studies

“The idea behind this series is a worthy one as many people in many societies regard STDs, along with the sexual activities of which they are part, as taboo topics....[T]his book, and the others to follow in the series, should be welcomed as a step towards constructing of a bridge between the different cultures of the world and understanding how the relationship between health and healing can be conceptualized.”–The Journal of Asian Studies

“[R]eminds us that sexually transmitted diseases imposed on mankind a terrible burden of suffering, disfigurement, disability, and death long before the appearance of HIV/AIDS.... Whether one's interest in disease in general, or sexually-transmitted disease in particular, or in AIDS, or even just in history or demographic history, or colonial history, this collection will be found both timely and useful.”–Population Studies - A Journal of Demography

“A great deal has been written about the history of STD's and HIV/AIDS in Europe and North America, but information about these infections in Asia and the Pacific is lacking. For the first time, this book provides a unique and comprehensive overview of the subject in a range of diverse countries and cultures.”–Adrian Mindel, Professor of Sexual Health Medicine University of Sydney and University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW

About the Author

MILTON LEWIS is Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Sydney, Australia.

SCOTT BAMBER is Project Development Specialist, Thai-Australian Northern AIDS Prevention and Care Program, Chiangmai, Thailand.

MICHAEL WAUGH is Consultant Genitourinary Physician of the General Infirmary in Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; 1 edition (March 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313294429
• ISBN-13: 978-0313294426
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,831,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)