This guide will help you to use the Penn Library when researching topics on recent sub-saharan African historical and political events. Materials containing relevant information are collected chiefly by Van Pelt Library, (social sciences, including history, political science, and economics, and area studies, including African studies). In addition, the University Museum Library's anthropological holdings and the Biomedical Library's public health collection may also be useful.

This guide identifies resources useful for beginning and conducting research on social aspects of health among African societies. It identifies major reference works in print and electronic formats and provides guidance for beginning the research process.