The new Harvard guide to women's health /

Librarians will breathe a sigh of relief at the release of this new edition. There is so much good information in the 1996 version, but eight years is a long time in the area of medical guides, and many of us have likely withdrawn the previous edition. As before, the guide's major focus is on diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system and how diseases common to both sexes may manifest themselves differently in women. The most important change is the updated information on estrogen replacement therapy. In 1996 ERT was viewed as an ideal treatment for women. The 2002 findings of the Women's Health Initiative changed that thinking completely. The research results and the current position of medical professionals are reflected in this edition. Medical advances in the treatment of other diseases and disorders are also covered. The growing acceptance of alternative medicine is reflected in revised articles on the topic. Among the new entries are Airbags, Dissociative identity disorder,\b Lyme disease, and Lymphedema. This edition is 30 pages shorter than the previous one but contains more entries and a center blue pages section with bodily systems diagrams, nutrition charts, and more. The page reduction has been accomplished by the use of smaller type. Information on diseases and disorders is presented as questions and answers addressing definitions, symptoms, treatments, and prevention. A topical resource list gives organizations to be contacted for additional information. Many labeled medical drawings appear throughout the book. The guide is an outstanding source for public and professional libraries. It is aimed at an educated readership. Given the recent publicity on the literacy problem in consumer health information materials (most of which are written at a tenth-grade reading level and above), libraries should be sure to provide other sources on the topic. --Marlene Kuhl Copyright 2004 Booklist

First published in 1996, this guide has been a valuable resource for female consumers seeking reliable health information. A new edition is most welcome because there have been major changes in the medical treatment of women, particularly in the areas of heart disease and menopause. The authors, two physicians on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and a medical journalist, feel that well-informed women who collaborate with their physicians get the best medical care. In addition to the expected articles on contraception, pregnancy, sexuality, and sexually transmitted diseases, the 300 alphabetically arranged entries cover such general medical topics as colon and rectal cancer, asthma, cosmetic safety, and pesticides and organic food. There are also discussions of domestic violence, cosmetic surgery, obesity, and nutrition. Information on hormone replacement therapy, cardiac disease in women, autoimmune diseases, drugs, screening procedures, and diagnostic tests has been updated to reflect the most current medical thinking. Addressing the health concerns facing women throughout their lives, the volume includes a new entry about perimenopause as well as nutritional charts for women of different ages. An excellent medical companion to Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century, which provides the political and psychosocial foundation for women's health advocacy; highly recommended for all health collections.-Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.