Purnell (health science, U. of Delaware, Newark) presents an updated edition of his concise, accessible handbook for healthcare students and practitioners. The text includes an introductory overview of transcultural diversity and health care, and the need for culturally competent health care, followed by the author's own Model for Cultural Competence and its accompanying organizing framework. Each of the remaining 27 chapters focuses on a specific cultural group, and includes general information on the group and culture-specific beliefs and practices in the areas of communications, family roles and organization, workforce issues, biocultural ecology, high-risk health behaviors, nutrition, pregnancy and childbearing, death rituals, spirituality, health-care practices, and health-care practitioners. The second edition includes new chapters on the Hmong and Somali, the addition of the workforce information, and bonus materials available online. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)