Encyclopedia of Women's Health Issues

Although there are many reference guides to diseases, symptoms, and treatment for health problems of women, there is no comprehensive source for the social, political, economic and ethical issues that affect women's health decisions. The Encyclopedia of Women's Health Issues provides valuable information on over 200 topics, including the issues and history surrounding diseases and medical procedures faced by women; health concerns of different ethnic groups of women; information on organizations and programs that deal with women's health; profiles on the people who have pioneered women's health services and information; and legal decisions related to women's health. An extensive bibliography and guides to good Web sites and organizations give users additional helpful resources. Among the features and benefits of this reference are

Charts and tables that present helpful facts and statistics

Contacts for Web sites and organizations that provide access to information about women's health issues—much of it free

Coverage of the issues, not just the diseases, critical to women's healthcare

Provides both basic information and guidance for further reading and research

This resource provides information on 200-plus topics related to women's health problems and the social, political, economic, and ethical issues that affect their health decisions. Entries cover the issues and history surrounding diseases and medical procedures faced by women, health concerns of different ethnic groups, information on relevant organizations and programs, profiles of people who have pioneered women's health services and information, and legal decisions. Edited by Kathlyn Gay, author of many books focused on social and environmental issues, culture, history, and communication. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Library Journal

Beginning with the classic Our Bodies, Ourselves from the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, women have addressed gender bias in clinical care. Now that healthcare providers and medical researchers understand that women experience illness and respond to treatment differently than do men, they are making an effort to provide appropriate care. In this new encyclopedia, Gay (Acid Rain; Silent Killers) focuses on the political, social, economic, and ethical issues that affect women's healthcare decisions. Over 200 alphabetical entries examine the historical background and issues related to a range of topics: diseases and medical procedures (ovarian cancer, abortion), the health concerns of various ethnic groups (Asian American, Pacific Islander), organizations and programs (Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Centers for Excellence in Women's Health), important biographies (Mary S. Calderone, Margaret Sanger), laws and court decisions (Roe v. Wade, Violence Against Women Act of 1994), and psychosocial issues (weight discrimination, domestic violence). The entries provide an overview of the topic and summarize the major issues it raises, e.g., who owns frozen embryos and whether one can assure the confidentiality of genetic test results. Each article contains a brief reading list, and the book closes with an extensive bibliography, a list of web sites, and a directory of organizations. Although further editing is needed to correct some typographical errors and erroneous URLs, this is a good starting point for research on gender issues in healthcare policy. Useful to large public, academic, health science, and women's studies collections.-Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

KATHLYN GAY is the author of more than 100 books, including young adult books, encyclopedias, teacher manuals and portions of textbooks. Most of her work focuses on social and environmental issues, culture, history, and communication. In 1983, her book Acid Rain was selected as an "Outstanding Book" by the National Council for Social Studies and National Science Teachers' Association. Silent Killers received the same award in 1988. Global Garbage: International Trade in Toxic Waste was chosen as a Notable Book for Young People in 1993. In recent years, Kathlyn Gay has collaborated with family members, sons Martin and Douglas Gay and daughter Karen Hamilton, on various books.