Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Medicine

Medicine is grounded in the natural sciences, among which biology stands out with regard to the understanding of human physiology and conditions that cause dysfunction. Ironically, evolutionary biology is a relatively disregarded field. One reason for this omission is that evolution is deemed a slow process. Indeed, macroanatomical features of our species have changed very little in the last 300,000 years. A more detailed look, however, reveals that novel ecological contingencies, partly in relation to cultural evolution, have brought about subtle changes pertaining to metabolism and immunology, including adaptations to dietary innovations, as well as adaptations to exposure to novel pathogens. Rapid pathogen evolution and evolution of cancer cells cause major problems for the immune system to find adequate responses. Moreover, many adaptations to past ecologies have turned into risk factors for somatic disease and psychological disorder in our modern world (i.e. mismatch), among which epidemics of autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, as well as several forms of cancer stand out. In addition, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions add to the list. The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Medicine is a compilation of up-to-date insights into the evolutionary history of ourselves as a species, and how and why our evolved design may convey vulnerability to disease. Written in a classic textbook style, emphasising the physiology and pathophysiology of all major organ systems, the book addresses students as well as scholars in the fields of medicine, biology, anthropology, and psychology.