Led by a UCLA-trained health psychologist, a team of experts describes non-traditional treatments that are quickly becoming more common in Western society, documenting cultural variations in health and sickness practices to underscore the diversity among human society.

V. 1. Key issues and medical systems. Cultural competence / Larry Purnell and Sherry Pontious -- The complexity of culture : culture's impact on health disparities / Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein and Abbey Mann -- Health disparities and immigrants / Ayø•se ø•Ciftø•ci, Laura Reid-Marks, and Lamise Shawahin -- Disparities among Latina/os / Leticia Arellano-Morales and Rocio Rosales Meza -- Acculturation and health / Sabrina Crawford and Kavita Avula -- Yoga, meditation, and other alternative methods for wellness : prevalence and use in the United States / Sonia Suchday, Lauren Hagemann, Yvette Fruchter, and Miriam Frankel -- Ayurveda : an alternative in the United States / Sonia Suchday, Natasha P. Ramanayake, Amina Benkhoukha, Anthony F. Santoro, Carlos Marquez, and Gen Nakao -- Native American medicine : the implications of history and the embodiment of culture / Wendy M.K. Peters, Julii M. Green, and Pilar E. Gauthier -- Traditional Chinese medicine : a healing approach from the past to the future / Chun Nok Lam and Soh-Leong Lim -- Curanderismo : a complementary and alternative approach to Mexican American health psychology / Jesse N. Valdez -- Mexican American medicine : history, roots, and key maladies / Mario Tovar -- Mediator between man and the gods : shamanism and health / Kimberly L. Howell -- Vodou in North America : healing one person, healing the universe / Benjamin Wendorf and Patrick Bellegarde-Smith -- Santeria as a culturally responsive healing practice / Rafael Martinez, Matthew J. Taylor, Wilma J. Calvert, Jami L. Hirsch, and Cheryl K. Webster. V. 2. Mental health and mind-body connections. Understanding international perspectives : implications for U.S. health and wellness / P.S.D.V. Prasadarao -- Mental health assessment among ethnic minorities in the United States / Sussie Eshun and Donna Hodge -- The mental health of Latina/os : a cultural focus / Rocio Rosales Meza and Leticia Arellano-Morales -- Stress and culture / Angela R. Wendorf, Amanda M. Brouwer, and Katie E. Mosack -- Mood and anxiety disorder across ethnic minority groups in the United States / Sussie Eshun -- Religion and health : ideological contexts and their influences on health-associated behaviors / Dean D. VonDras -- Islamic healing approaches, beliefs, and health-related behaviors / Sujata R. Swaroop, Chantø•e D. DeLoach, and Fyeqa Sheikh -- The health and wellness of sexual and gender minorities / David W. Pantalone, John E. Pachankis, Brian A. Rood, and Sarah M. Bankoff -- Childhood obesity and cultural influences / Jacqueline Woods, Stephen K. Trapp, and Marilyn Stern -- Suicide across cultures / Kristin M. Vespia and Kaitlyn J. Florer.