The Health of Native Americans: Toward a Biocultural Epidemiology Hardcover - 1994 - 1st Edition

From the rear cover

In order to study the health status of Native Americans, the unique characteristics of this population must be fully considered. This book provides a comprehensive review of the health of Native Americans in the United States and Canada. Historical trends in population and health status from pre-European contact to the present are thoroughly examined within three categories: infectious diseases, chronic diseases, and injuries. The etiology and pathogenesis of different diseases are discussed, and genetic and environmental risk factors are considered. The book also compares the incidence of disease among Native Americans and non-Native Americans, examines variations among Native Americans belonging to different geographical, cultural and linguistic groups, and reviews control and prevention strategies. On a broader level, the purpose of this book is to integrate the approaches of anthropology and epidemiology in order to demonstrate the interaction of biology and culture on disease causation, distribution, and control. Attention to both perspectives offers a promising approach to understanding and improving the health status of Native Americans.