"This reference is one of the best I've seen on diseases. … If you could only buy one health set for your library, this would be an excellent choice. Students could use this not only for reports but for general reading material as well. Highly recommended."
— The Book Report (September/October 2000)
"Written for readers from middle school; age to adult, this three-volume work is an interesting mix of 'accurate and up-to-date information' in various formats. 294 diseases and conditions are profiled to include the expected details about causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments. But, other features that make this encyclopedic work unique include segments from patients on what it is like to live with a disease, and 'Years Ago' boxes that provide 'fascinating and often surprising historical perspectives that go back 100, 200, or even 1,000 years ago...Because Human Diseases and Conditions encompasses a wide range of information in a concise format, it would be a worthwhile addition to a consumer health collection in any setting."
-- Medical Reference Services Quarterly (Winter 2000) (Medical Reference Services Quarterly 20000601)
"The human body and its ailments are fascinating subjects for most people. Much of the literature in this area is very technical and difficult for lay readers to understand. Human Diseases and Conditions, although edited by a group of physicians, is written for readers from middle school to adult level...The alphabetical entries that follow are two to six pages long. They include a definition of the disease or condition; an explanation of what it does to the body; and information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Many articles also have short scenarios describing people who have had or currently live with the illness...Articles on chronic diseases such as diabetes and cystic fibrosis explain what it is like to live with the illness. All articles have brief bibliographies and referral lists. There are ample cross-references and a comprehensive index to lead users to the information they need. Several color photographs, charts, and illustrations augment the text. Sidebars in the margins provide definitions and keywords for searching other reference sources and the Internet. Human Diseases and Conditions is an attractive encyclopedia that is easy to use."
-- ABRA (American Reference Books Annual) 2001 (ARBA 20000501)
"The human body and its ailments are fascinating subjects for most people. Much of the literature in this area is very technical and difficult for lay readers to understand. Human Diseases and Conditions, although edited with the assistance of a group of physicians, is written for readers from middle-school to adult level. The set has information on 294 diseases and conditions...Many articles also have short scenarios describing people who have had or currently live with the illness...There are ample cross-references and a comprehensive index to lead users to the information they need. A bibliography of recent medical textbooks appears in volume three. Color photographs, charts and illustrations augment the text. Sidebars in the margins provide definitions and keywords for searching other reference sources and the Internet. Fact boxes offer historical information and literary quotations about diseases."
-- Booklist (July 2000) (Booklist 20000415)
"Human Diseases and Conditions is an attractive encyclopedia that is easy to use."
-- Booklist (July 2000) (Booklist )
"Aside from health textbooks, general authoritative medical references written for young people are hard to find. There are probably more books on dinosaurs than straightforward, clear books presenting medical information to adolescents and teenagers. Human Diseases and Conditions is a medical encyclopedia aimed at this age group...Each article contains a definition of the disease or condition, how it works in the body, causes, symptoms, treatments, and how it affects the patient's life. Most articles also end with a list of resources for further information. The resources are usually government or nonprofit organizations and books on disease or condition written for young people. The resources include Internet URLs when appropriate... Additional features on the sidebars of each page are definitions and pronunciations of medical terms, keywords for searching the Internet, and statistical information. The text frequently includes case studies about teenagers, diseases suggested by famous people and current celebrities, historical facts, or the illnesses of literary characters Two hundred attractive color photographs, charts, and diagrams enhance the text with valuable graphic information...Recommended for public, middle, and high school libraries. "
-- Reference and User Services Quarterly (Summer 2000) (Reference and User Services Quarterly )
"Gr 6 UP -- While there is a plethora of print and electronic sources available on medical topics, this set was written with young adults in mind. The entries cover a wide range of topics from acne to stress, breast cancer to tuberculosis...diseases and conditions that this age group is personally interested in or frequently assigned. Less common ailments such as Marfan syndrome, Chargas' disease, and Ebola virus are also covered. The articles are easy to read; some, such as the one on diabetes, are quite lengthy; others briefly cover causes, symptoms, and treatment. Sidebars provide additional facts and definitions. Most entries mention at least one other resource, and many note several books and/or organizations. Lots of color photographs, illustrations, and diagrams enhance the text. A bibliography and a comprehensive index are found in the third volume. A good starting point for research papers and equally useful to answer quick questions."
-- School Library Journal (May 2000) (School Library Journal )
"This handsomely produced and authoritatively written encyclopedia was published in association with the Center for Children's Health at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, Lengthier entries include sidebars consisting of bibliographies, See references, definitions of unusual words, suggested keywords for searching the Internet and print sources, and pronunciation guides...Children and teenagers are obviously the intended audience, though any adult would find this book valuable...Any school or public library that can afford Human Diseases and Conditions could not go wrong in purchasing it."
-- Library Journal (April 15, 2000) (Library Journal )
Product Description
Created by a team of doctors and health education experts based at the du Pont Hospital for Children, this user-friendly, accessible reference work presents the most accurate and up-to-date information available on diseases and conditions. (20000701)