About this Book

Abstract: A handbook of health issue essays examines the interdisciplinary requirements of health and health care (prevention and treatment of disease) and provides the reader with insight into the determinants of health and illness. Essay topics are interrelated by the idea that health, disease treatment and rehabilitation of populations occur at biological, psychological and sociocultural levels and involve complex adaptive patterns that epidemiological and clinical studies attempt to describe. Six sections examine: historical and sociocultural dimensions of health and health care; epidemiological studies; health-delivery; health occupations; the health care system from the patient's perspective; and issues and perspectives for approaching health care research. Each of the 34 chapters is written by an expert in his respective area. (kbc).