Historical dictionary of the World Health Organization /

This dictionary by Lee (Simon Fraser Univ.; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) and Fang (Simon Fraser Univ.) is a substantially revised and expanded follow-up to Lee's first edition (CH, Dec'98, 36-1936). Featuring more than 1,000 entries, the volume has nearly doubled in size. Updates include the introduction, which provides an excellent overview of the World Health Organization, its history, and current challenges. Appendixes contain the constitution of the WHO, a list of member states by year of membership, programs by region, organizational structure over time, and a list of WHO directors-general and regional directors. A comprehensive bibliography completes the volume. As with the rest of the books in this series, no index is included; however, the authors attempt to remedy this with an extensive network of see also references, both within the entries and as stand-alone items. While often useful, the sheer number of references here is rather distracting and overdone. Still, this is a much needed update and a welcome addition, especially to an e-reference collection. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty. T. Miller Michigan State University

An upgrade of an invaluable sourcebook, Lee and Fang's second edition approaches the history of WHO with a 14-page time line and a 40-page introduction to individual agencies and programs. Events from the past 15 years monitoring of noncommunicable diseases, bioethics, and treatment distribution indicate the direction and intent of global initiatives. The authors add commentary on an HIV vaccine and recent studies of alcohol, cancer, cardiovascular disease, deafness, diabetes, diarrhea, and food-borne illness. Recommended for public and academic libraries, particularly as a replacement for the original, 1998 edition.--Snodgrass, Mary Ellen Copyright 2010 Booklist