Promoting Health and Wellness in Underserved Communities: Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning

Starting from the premise that our health status, vulnerability to accidents and disease, and life spans – as individuals and communities – are determined by the organization, delivery, and financing (or lack thereof) of health care, this book explores how educators and community caretakers teach the complex web of inter-connection between the micro level of individual health and well-being and the macro level of larger social structures.

Through the lenses of courses in anthropology, ESL, gerontology, management information systems, nursing, nutrition, psychology, public health, and sociology, the contributors offer examples of intergenerational and interdisciplinary practice, and share cutting-edge academic creativity to model how to employ community service learning to promote social change.

Anabel Pelham is Professor of Gerontology and Director of the Institute on Gerontology at San Francisco State University.

Elizabeth Sills is the Community Health Manager for a major healthcare organization.

Robert A. Corrigan is President, San Francisco State University.

Gerald S. Eisman is the Acting Director of the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at San Francisco State University.