"Extremely well-written, innovative, and timely, "Infertility Around the Globe is a definitive work. Together, the authors use infertility as the lens to examine numerous compelling social issues, generating a powerful argument that infertility is a globally significant phenomenon. This volume will attract anthropologists and other social scientists interested in the study of reproduction, as well as anyone interested in gender studies, women's studies, and international health."--Carolyn Sargent, co-editor of "Childbirth and Authoritative Knowledge: Cross-Cultural Perspectives

"This groundbreaking, interdisciplinary book will change how infertility is theorized and how intervention programs are designed. It will become the primary sourcebook for international and comparative research in a variety of cultural settings. Reading this book was a distinct pleasure."--Lynn Morgan, co-editor of "Fetal Subjects, Feminist Positions

"A stunning achievement. Through its richly textured ethnographic accounts, this book beautifully explicates the universals and particularities of involuntary childlessness in disparate world regions. It challenges the myopic view that the heartbreak is limited to advanced industrial societies. This book is a much-needed antidote in a field mostly characterized by polemic and untested assumptions."--C. H. Browner, UCLA School of Medicine

"Scholarship on infertility too often has been culture-bound, focusing on Western versions of biosocial reproductive problems and on technological solutions. This innovative volume decenters that perspective, with studies on the ostracism of elder childless men in Kenya, political suspicions of vaccination campaigns in theCameroons, new reproductive technologies for ultraorthodox use in Israel, and China's emergent eugenics. It enlarges the 'public' in public health."--Rayna Rapp, co-editor of "Conceiving the New World Order: The Global Politics of Reproduction

South Asia Region (SAR) has decreased maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 65 percent between 1990 and 2013, which was the greatest progress among all world regions. Such achievement implores the question, What made SAR stand out against what is predicted by standard socioeconomic outcomes? Improving Maternal and Reproductive Health in South Asia: Drivers and Enablers identifies the interventions and factors that contributed to reducing MMR and improving maternal and reproductive health (MRH) outcomes in SAR. In this study, the analytical framework assumes that improving MRH outcomes is influenced by a multitude of forces from within and outside the health system and considers factors at the household and community levels, as well as interventions in other sectors and factors in the enabling environment. The analysis is based on a structured literature review of the interventions in SAR countries, relevant international experience, and review of the best available evidence from systematic reviews. The focus of the analysis is mainly on assessing the effectiveness of interventions. The findings from this study indicate that the most effective interventions that prevent maternal mortality are those that address the intra-partum stage - the point where most maternal deaths occur - and include improving skilled birth attendance coverage, increasing institutional delivery rates, and scaling up access to emergency obstetric care. There is also adequate evidence that investing in family planning to increase contraceptive use also played a key role during the inter-partum phase by preventing unwanted pregnancies and thus averting the risk of maternal mortality in SAR countries. Outside the programmatic interventions, the levels of household income, women's education, and completion of secondary education of girls were also strongly correlated with improved MRH outcomes. Also, there is strong evidence that health financing schemes - both demand and supply side - and conditional cash transfer programs were effective in increasing the uptake of MRH services. The study points out to many other interventions with different degrees of effectiveness. The study also identified four major reasons for why SAR achieved this progress in MMR reduction. The best practices and evidence of what works synthesized in this study provide an important way forward for low- and middle-income countries toward achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals

Part of the recognised Infertility Management Series, this handbook is a complete guide to fertility-related abnormalities of the pelvis. Divided into ten sections, the book covers numerous abnormalities, including fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, genital tuberculosis, and other disorders known to have a detrimental effect on the outcome of assisted reproductive treatment. The text concludes with discussion on gynaecological cancer and fertility preservation options. Edited by recognised experts in the field, led by Madrid-based Juan A Garcia-Velasco, the book is further enhanced by clinical photographs, diagrams and tables. Other titles in the series include: Investigating Infertility, Intrauterine Insemination, Practical Management of Male Infertility, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and Ovarian Stimulation. Key points Part of Infertility Management Series providing complete guide to fertility-related pelvic abnormalities Includes discussion on gynaecological cancer and fertility preservation Edited by recognised team of experts in reproductive medicine Features clinical photographs, diagrams and tables

Part of a new series on reproductive medicine, this book is a complete guide to andrology and embryology. Divided into 38 chapters, the text begins with in depth discussion on male infertility covering sperm function tests, screening, sperm selection for ART, sperm banking, and various causes of male infertility. The second part of the book examines assisted reproductive techniques in male infertility, frozen embryo transfer, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, third party reproduction, and more. The book presents the latest advances in the field and each chapter includes key points and references for further reading. Clinical photographs, diagrams and tables further enhance the comprehensive text. Other titles in the series include: Practical Guide in Infertility, Practical Guide in Reproductive Surgery and Practical Guide in Assisted Reproductive Technology. Key points Comprehensive guide to andrology and embryology Part of new series on reproductive medicine Covers numerous ART procedures for male infertility Chapters include key points and detailed references for further reading

With the conclusion of adolescence, a child develops into a teenager that may experiment with dating, smoking and drinking, and they may make important decisions without parental knowledge or guidance. These teenagers may also engage in risky behaviour, which may pose as a threat to their well-being and successful transition into adulthood. With this in mind, how can we can prevent adolescent risk behaviour? Traditionally, prevention scientists propose three forms of prevention. Primarily, attempts to reduce the harmful consequences of risk behaviour, such as treatment of risk behaviour (ie: mental disorders or substance abuse) are ideal. For some problematic behaviour which has already occurred, a better approach is to identify those who are at-risk as early as possible (ie: secondary prevention). For example, youth workers may identify those who have suicidal ideation and intervene as early as possible so that they will not harm themselves. In this book, the authors assess whether a community-based program in Hong Kong was effective in promoting adolescent development and explore what factors were associated with the program effects. The authors hope that the studies included in this book can help to reveal the successful experience of the project and provide some pointers for the development of programs for adolescents with greater psychosocial needs.

The U.S. population is getting older, and Americans are living longer, on average, than they ever have before. As they age, people are healthier and more active than the generations before them and have fewer functional limitations such as difficulty walking or blindness. Studies show that people are happier on average as they advance into their later decades and enjoy high levels of accumulated knowledge and experience. Getting older is a time of social, emotional, mental, and physical change. Retirement might change how a person interacts socially every day, affecting a persons mood and well-being. Cognitive aging--the normal process of cognitive change as a person gets older--can begin, or a permanent change in physical function may arise. Technology offers a path for people who are navigating these changes potentially to prevent or minimise the risks associated with them and to enhance peoples ability to live their lives fully. The Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), seeks to identify technologies and policies that will maximise the independence, productivity, and engagement of Americans in their later years. This book focuses on four key changes older Americans often experience: hearing loss; loss of social engagement and connectivity; cognitive change; and physical change.