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Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective presents human health and nutrition from a perspective that recognizes the overlapping and synergistic functions of biology, behavior, and environment. A classic in medical anthropology, this remains one of the fundamental texts in the field. --Dale L. Hutchinson, University of North Carolina A major strength of this comprehensive and accessible text is its demonstration of the relationship between physiology and cultural experiences of disease and illness. --William McKellin, University of British Columbia McElroy and Townsend's text captures the breadth and depth of medical anthropology, expertly weaving content with case studies. They carefully highlight how power and access to resources are fundamental concerns in anthropological and ecological approaches to health and illness. An excellent resource for students interested in biocultural approaches to understanding our current health and healthcare challenges. --K. Jill Fleuriet, University of Texas San Antonio The extensive use of profiles as illustrative case studies, often incorporating the field experiences of the anthropologist, humanizes and concretizes abstract ideas raised in the chapters--making those concepts more understandable for students. --Sheila Cosminsky, Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, Camden Praise for previous editions: I have used Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective on numerous occasions and it is close to my ideal for a textbook in anthropology. Its perspectives in ecology, evolution, and biocultural interpretation are in the forefront of the biomedical and social sciences. I should be proud to have written it myself. --Michael Little, Binghamton University, SUNY McElroy and Townsend's textbook is a classic, and remains the best overall introduction to medical anthropology available. It is engagingly and clearly written, covering a broad range of topics from biocultural and evolutionary perspectives. I wouldn't consider using any other text to introduce students to this fascinating field of study. --Katherine A. Dettwyler, University of Delaware The ecological perspective has proven its utility for understanding health and healing across cultures and through the major health transitions. The new edition of McElroy and Townsend retains the classic ecological approach while updating and expanding treatment of the major topics adding illustrative and contemporary case studies; it continues to be in the very first rank of medical anthropology texts. --Lawrence Schell, University at Albany, SUNY Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective is one of those rare texts that should be required reading for students in medical anthropology, medical sociology and medical school. --Helena Ragone, University of Massachusetts McElroy and Townsend continue to provide a complete and authoritative ecological perspective that is essential for interpreting medical anthropology. They have been able to capture the essentials of the discipline in an interesting and informative manner. --George Armelagos, Emory University

Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective presents human health and nutrition from a perspective that recognizes the overlapping and synergistic functions of biology, behavior, and environment. A classic in medical anthropology, this remains one of the fundamental texts in the field. --Dale L. Hutchinson, University of North Carolina A major strength of this comprehensive and accessible text is its demonstration of the relationship between physiology and cultural experiences of disease and illness. --William McKellin, University of British Columbia McElroy and Townsend's text captures the breadth and depth of medical anthropology, expertly weaving content with case studies. They carefully highlight how power and access to resources are fundamental concerns in anthropological and ecological approaches to health and illness. An excellent resource for students interested in biocultural approaches to understanding our current health and healthcare challenges. --K. Jill Fleuriet, University of Texas San Antonio The extensive use of profiles as illustrative case studies, often incorporating the field experiences of the anthropologist, humanizes and concretizes abstract ideas raised in the chapters--making those concepts more understandable for students. --Sheila Cosminsky, Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, Camden Praise for previous editions: I have used Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective on numerous occasions and it is close to my ideal for a textbook in anthropology. Its perspectives in ecology, evolution, and biocultural interpretation are in the forefront of the biomedical and social sciences. I should be proud to have written it myself. --Michael Little, Binghamton University, SUNY McElroy and Townsend's textbook is a classic, and remains the best overall introduction to medical anthropology available. It is engagingly and clearly written, covering a broad range of topicsg

Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective presents human health and nutrition from a perspective that recognizes the overlapping and synergistic functions of biology, behavior, and environment. A classic in medical anthropology, this remains one of the fundamental texts in the field. --Dale L. Hutchinson, University of North Carolina A major strength of this comprehensive and accessible text is its demonstration of the relationship between physiology and cultural experiences of disease and illness. --William McKellin, University of British Columbia McElroy and Townsend's text captures the breadth and depth of medical anthropology, expertly weaving content with case studies. They carefully highlight how power and access to resources are fundamental concerns in anthropological and ecological approaches to health and illness. An excellent resource for students interested in biocultural approaches to understanding our current health and healthcare challenges. --K. Jill Fleuriet, University of Texas San Antonio The extensive use of profiles as illustrative case studies, often incorporating the field experiences of the anthropologist, humanizes and concretizes abstract ideas raised in the chapters--making those concepts more understandable for students. --Sheila Cosminsky, Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, Camden Praise for previous editions: I have used Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective on numerous occasions and it is close to my ideal for a textbook in anthropology. Its perspectives in ecology, evolution, and biocultural interpretation are in the forefront of the biomedical and social sciences. I should be proud to have written it myself. --Michael Little, Binghamton University, SUNY McElroy and Townsend's textbook is a classic, and remains the best overall introduction to medical anthropology available. It is engagingly and clearly written, covering a broad range of topicsc

Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective presents human health and nutrition from a perspective that recognizes the overlapping and synergistic functions of biology, behavior, and environment. A classic in medical anthropology, this remains one of the fundamental texts in the field. --Dale L. Hutchinson, University of North Carolina A major strength of this comprehensive and accessible text is its demonstration of the relationship between physiology and cultural experiences of disease and illness. --William McKellin, University of British Columbia McElroy and Townsend's text captures the breadth and depth of medical anthropology, expertly weaving content with case studies. They carefully highlight how power and access to resources are fundamental concerns in anthropological and ecological approaches to health and illness. An excellent resource for students interested in biocultural approaches to understanding our current health and healthcare challenges. --K. Jill Fleuriet, University of Texas San Antonio The extensive use of profiles as illustrative case studies, often incorporating the field experiences of the anthropologist, humanizes and concretizes abstract ideas raised in the chapters--making those concepts more understandable for students. --Sheila Cosminsky, Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, Camden Praise for previous editions: I have used Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective on numerous occasions and it is close to my ideal for a textbook in anthropology. Its perspectives in ecology, evolution, and biocultural interpretation are in the forefront of the biomedical and social sciences. I should be proud to have written it myself. --Michael Little, Binghamton University, SUNY McElroy and Townsend's textbook is a classic, and remains the best overall introduction to medical anthropology available. It is engagingly and clearly written, covering a broad range of topics from biocultural and evolutionary perspectives. I wouldn't consider using any other text to introduce students to this fascinating field of study. --Katherine A. Dettwyler, University of Delaware The ecological perspective has proven its utility for understanding health and healing across cultures and through the major health transitions. The new edition of McElroy and Townsend retains the classic ecological approach while updating and expanding treatment of the major topics adding illustrative and contemporary case studies; it continues to be in the very first rank of medical anthropology texts. --Lawrence Schell, University at Albany, SUNY Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective is one of those rare texts that should be required reading for students in medical anthropology, medical sociology and medical school. --Helena Ragone, University of Massachusetts McElroy and Townsend continue to provide a complete and authoritative ecological perspective that is essential for interpreting medical anthropology. They have been able to capture the essentials of the discipline in an interesting and informative manner. --George Armelagos, Emory University

Author Information

Ann McElroy, Ph.D., Associate Professor Emerita of Anthropology, directed applied medical anthropology graduate concentrations at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, from 1985 to 2013. She has done research in Nunavut, Canada, for the past forty-seven years and is the author of Nunavut Generations: Change and Continuity in Baffin Island Inuit Communities (Waveland Press, 2008). Other current research interests include culture and disability, traumatic grief, and historical trauma in indigenous societies.Patricia K. Townsend, Ph.D., is Research Associate Professor at the University at Buffalo. Her most recent book is Environmental Anthropology: From Pigs to Policies (Waveland Press, Second Edition, 2009). She has done fieldwork in Papua New Guinea, Peru, and at Superfund sites in the United States. After several years of college teaching, she has spent much of her career applying anthropology to non-governmental organizations, including church and refugee agencies. Her current writing projects relate her Papua New Guinea research to broader issues of human and environmental health.

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