Urbanism, Health and Human Biology in Industrialised Countries: 40 (Society for the Study of Human Biology Symposium Series, Series Number 40)
Cambridge University Press, 6/16/2009
EAN 9780521117630, ISBN10: 0521117631
Paperback, 344 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm
Language: English
Over seventy per cent of the population in industrialized nations live in cities; soon, so will most of the world's population. This volume examines the impact of urban living on human health and biology. Cities pose numerous and diverse social and biological challenges to human populations which bear little resemblance to the forces that moulded human biology through millions of years of evolution. Urban populations in industrialized nations have distinctive patterns of behaviour, social stratification, stress, infectious disease, diet, activity and exposure to pollutants from years of industrialization. These features affect diverse aspects of human function including human nutrition, energy expenditure, growth and reproduction. This volume begins with an introduction to the history of urbanism and poverty, infectious disease, reproductive function, child health, nutrition, physical activity and psychosocial stress. The book will appeal to workers in urban planning, human biology, anthropology, preventative medicine, human ecology and related areas.
List of contributors
Part I. The Urban Environment
1. Urbanism, urbanisation, health and human biology
an introduction Lawrence M. Schell and Stanley J. Ulijaszek
2. Urbanisation and urbanism in industrialised nations, 1850–present
implications for health A. J. McMichael
3. Urban development and change
present patterns and future prospects David Clark
4. Traditional environments
health and the perception of permanence in urban micro-environments R. Huss-Ashmore and C. Behrman
Part II. Epidemiology
5. Emerging infectious diseases
biology and behaviour in the inner city George DiFerdinando
6. Fecundity and ovarian function in urban environments P. T. Ellison
7. Pollution and child health L. M. Schell and A. D. Stark
8. Urbanism and health in industrialised Asia J. Peters
Part III. Poverty and Health
9. Urban poverty and nutrition in the United Kingdom E. Dowler
10. Poverty, nutrition and obesity in the USA F. E. Johnston and P. Gordon-Larsen
11. Nutritional status and its health consequences among low-income urban pregnant women
diet and environmental toxicants S. Czerwinski
Part IV. Behaviour and Stress
12. Urbanism and psychosocial stress Tessa M. Pollard
13. Physical activity, lifestyle and health of urban populations S. J. Ulijaszek
14. HIV transmission in urban environments
London and beyond M. Parker
Part V. The Future
15. The future of urban environments S. J. Ulijaszek and L. M. Schell
Index.