This volume focuses on a number of important problem areas and issues, such as vaccination, reproductive health and AIDS, equity and community health financing, self-care and the use and distribution of pharmaceuticals, that confront health professionals and health planners. Public health staff at different levels are involved in providing health education and primary health care and are confronted with difficulties related to the socio-cultural context in which they work as they implement health programs. Anita Hardon is professor of anthropology of care and health, University of Amsterdam and dean of the Amsterdam School of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam. Pimpawun Boonmongkon is assistant professor of Medical Anthropology at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Pieter Streefland is senior research fellow at the Royal Tropical Institute, full professor of applied development sociology, and professor of master medical anthropology and sociology, University of Amsterdam. Michael Lim Tan is medical anthropologist and lecturer, University of the Philippines, and director of Health Action Information Network. Thavitong Hongvivatana is professor of medical social science and director of the Center for Health Policy Studies, Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Sjaak van der Geest is professor of medical anthropology, University of Amsterdam. Anneloes van Staa is medical doctor and medical anthropologist, and lecturer, Institute of Health Policy and Management at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Corlien Varkevisser is a medical sociologist-anthropologist professor emeritus in Health System Research, University of Amsterdam. Cecilia Acuin, M.D., F.P.A.F.P, Department of Family Medicine of the De La Salle University in Manila. Mushtaque Chowdhury is visiting professor, Columbia University and deputy executive director of the research and evaluation division of BRAC in Bangladesh. Abbas Bhuiya is head of the Social and Behavioural Sciences Programme, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh. Luechai Sringeryuang is associate professor of medical anthropology, Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Els van Dongen is associate professor in medical anthropology, University of Amsterdam. Trudie Gerrits is a medical anthropologist and research fellow, Amsterdam School of Social Science Research.