Medical ethnologists provide an overview of concepts of illness and health, as well as body images in Europe, Oceania, America, and Africa. The handling of HIV/AIDS is addressed alongside the circumcision of boys and girls within their cultural context. Seven authors raise the reader's awareness of the cultural construction of medical knowledge and practices. The local context in dealing with illness and health is becoming increasingly significant in times of globalization. Health and illness are important elements of our existence, each culturally imbued with different meanings. Lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes are on the rise not only in America and Europe. Exotic healing practices can be found everywhere and are being expanded through other world regions. The handbook is aimed at anyone who wishes to explore these central questions in more depth.