In order to examine the importance of alternative medicine to the African American population, this book focuses on the African American health belief system and the treatment strategies often used and documented.

Moreover, the cultural perceptions of the specific disease are presented to provide reasons why African Americans tend to use the particular alternative and complementary medical therapy for the disease. The book serves as a resource guide for students, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the general public.

Preface
The Current Status of Alternative Medicine
Alternative Medicine in the United States
Mainstream American Alternative Medicine
Alternative Medicine and African Americans
African American Alternative Medicine
Cultural Historical Review of African American Alternative Medicine
How to Do Applied Medical Anthropological Fieldwork
Strategies for Collecting Qualitative Alternative Medicine Data
Disease-Focused Alternative Treatment Practices: Research Including African Americans
Hypertension and Alternative Treatment Therapies
Cancer and Alternative Treatment Therapies
Diabetes Mellitus and Alternative Treatment Therapies
Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) and Alternative Treatment Therapies
Mental Health and Alternative Treatment Therapies
Conclusion: Culture and Alternative Medicine
Index.