Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness

by Rachel E. Spector

The eighth edition of this well-respected book continues to promote an awareness of the dimensions and complexities involved in caring for people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Completely revised and updated, CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS examines the differences existing within North America by probing the health care system and consumers, and examples of traditional health/ HEALTH beliefs and practices among selected populations. An emphasis on the influences of recent social, political, and demographic changes helps to explore the issues and perceptions of health and illness today, while new introductory and capstone chapters help place material within perspective. An essential for any health-care professional, this book sets the standard for cultural perspectives and more importantly HEALTH –the balance of the person, both within one’s being–physical, mental, and spiritual–and in the outside world–natural, communal, and metaphysical. (Terms, such as HEALTH , are written this way to emphasize holistic meaning.)

Genres: Nursing

432 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

Reviews

[Brie Guiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as textbooks go, I quite enjoyed this one; learned a lot about the importance of cultural competency in healthcare environments and what that looks like when working with minority/vulnerable populations. Lots of great external resources for additional learning opportunities.