C.G. Nicholas Mascie-Taylor - Böcker

Disease is an ever-present threat faced by all human societies. Today, this concept has become an influential area of study known as the global burden of disease, which encompasses contemporary health concerns such as the economic costs of disease, the societal impact of illness in developing nations, and infectious diseases resulting from lifestyle exposures. Before we can ease this global burden, it is essential to establish an accurate view of the current status of human health and disease around the world.Addressing key areas that reflect our understanding of disease, The Changing Face of Disease: Implications for Society explores the evolution of disease, the implications for human societies, its ecology, and the current human response. This volume aims to broaden our view of disease at the dawn of the 21st century through topics such as epidemiological transition, mathematical modeling of disease evolution, parasitic disease, urban pollution and illness, and under-nutrition and obesity. Contributions to the text reflect the authors' diverse perspectives and studies on human population biology, biological anthropology, and biomedical and public health issues.This authoritative volume traces the evolution of modern disease and explores contemporary health challenges resulting from genetic, environmental, economic, and lifestyle factors. Through many levels of analysis, it provides a clear picture of the present state of health and disease and reminds us of the global burdens that have yet to be remedied.

The transition in anthropological and biomedical research methods over the past 50 years, from anthropometric and craniometric measurements to large-scale microarray genetic studies has resulted in continued revision of opinions and ideas relating to the factors and forces that drive human variation. Human Variation:From the Laboratory to the Field brings together the contributions of 22 scientists working in four continents to identify and address challenges imposed by variability. It reviews the way we examine and analyze human variation, paying specific attention to genetics, growth and development, and physiology. In presenting new evidence and findings, it also discusses current developments in methodology and analytical techniques, detailing both field and laboratory approaches, and looking at how the two perspectives complement each other.In bridging that gap between laboratory trials and studies of the human in context, this book covers a number of interesting research areas including — Human adaptation to natural and artificial light, including variations in circadian photosensitivity and effects of light on GI activity Cold tolerance and lifestyle in modern society Genetics of body weight and obesity Human adaptability to emotional and intellectual mental stresses Geography, migration, climate, and environmental plasticity as contributors to human variation Impact of natural environmental stressors including pollution on physiological and morphological processesThis book is the latest volume in a series of works from the Society for the Study of Human Biology (SSHB), which for half a century has advanced and promoted research in the biology of human populations in all of its branches including human viability, genetics, human adaptability, and ecology, and evolution. It holds two scientific meetings a year. This volume represents work presented during its most recent gathering.