Complementary, Alternative, And Integrative Health: A Multicultural Perspective

Principles of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Multicultural Perspective is an evidence-based overvieiw of non-allopathic healing practices in the US, their uses, and limitations. The chapters are written by experts in the health field with a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and addresses alternative and complementary healing practices, proven methods, and questionable practices within a cross-cultural framework. Each chapter includes a description of how different modalities are used in various cultures and the literature that supports those practices. The book helps readers (1) understand the concepts of complementary and alternative medicine, (2) contrast the use of alternative and traditional healing methods among various cultural and ethnic groups, (3) identify the most commonly known modalities of alternative medicine and their scientific basis, (4) recognize the role of health educators in educating consumers about CAM within the context of the Affordable Care Act.

Each chapter in the book includes :

• “Traditional and Alternative Healing Practices” -- This section includea a scientific analysis of the traditional healing practices particularly relevant to each cultural and ethnic group.
• “To remember” -- These summary boxes emphasizes the main issues and concepts for readers to remember regarding traditional healing practices particularly relevant to each cultural and ethnic group. 
• “Caveat Emptor” -- Self-study guides allowing readers to analyze the benefits and risks of the various traditional healing methods discussed in the chapter. 
• “Case Studies” includes case studies, examples, questions, and problems for class discussion and individual analysis. These activities emphasize the student as a future health professional.

HELDA PINZON-PEREZ, PHD, CNS, MCHES, FNS, is a professor in the Department of Public Health and School of Nursing at California State University, Fresno. She is a native of Colombia. Her research interests are international health as well as alternative medicine and integrative healing.

MIGUEL A. PEREZ, PHD, MCHES, CGS, FAAHE, is a health educator who specializes in international adolescent health issues, applied research, and cultural competence. He is the author of a textbook in health education, co-edited a couple of books, and written several book chapters, in addition to peer-reviewed publications and numerous conferences, many based on his research on migrant and adolescent health risk behaviors.