Hormones, Health and Behaviour: A Socio-ecological and Lifespan Perspective

Description

As widespread social transformations have been paralleled by gains in health and life expectancy through public health and other improvements, a variety of other challenges to health have emerged, particularly in life-style related, behaviourally mediated changes in rates of chronic disease. This book looks at the relationship of human biology and human society, at the intersection of behaviour, hormones and health. There is both scientific interest and practical urgency behind the ideas and findings presented here, as the need for a socio-ecological view of function and well-being has become more apparent. This book documents an emerging understanding of how hormones create the linkage between behaviour or social life and health. It will inform graduate students and scholars interested in the human sciences, anthropology, epidemiology, public, environmental, and reproductive health.

'This book is a wonderful advertisement for human biology as practiced by anthropologists. It is conceptually state-of-the-art, empirically rigorous and shows how basic research can enlighten practical concerns about health ... This book clearly deserves to be read by more than the small group of biological anthropologists who have pioneered extensive studies of hormones and health in field settings ... this book is a gem and a must read for the audience of AJHB.' Benjamin Campbell, American Journal of Human Biology 'I strongly recommend the book to my colleagues, particularly to those who are basic science researchers.' Istvan Merchenthaler, TEM 'This is an excellent volume that pulls together much of the existing research literature on hormones and health where data have been collected under realistic field conditions. It will provide graduate students and professionals a foundation for understanding this area of research and moving into it.' Human Biology ' ... this book is a gem ...' American Journal of Human Biology 'There is both scientific interest and practical urgency behind the ideas and findings presented here ... it will inform graduate students and researchers interested in human sciences, human development, anthropology, epidemiology, public environmental and reproductive health.' Human Evolution