1. Why Study Health?2. Human Biology and Health3. Epidemiology and Health4. Sport and Exercise Science and Health5. Geography and Health6. Health Psychology7. Sociology and Health8. Social Policy and Health9. Health Economics10. Politics and Health11. Organization and Management of Health and Healthcare12. History and Health13. Cultural Studies and Social Anthropology14. Ethics and Law

This new edition of Health Studies provides an authoritative and contemporary introduction to the study of health. With chapters including epidemiology, psychology, human and environmental geography, and anthropology, it is the only book to explore in one volume all of the core disciplines that contribute to understanding health. It illustrates how the complexity of health problems such as obesity should be viewed with an interdisciplinary perspective. Each chapter explains the disciplinary approach and then its theoretical and research approaches with examples. A highlight of this 4th edition is a new chapter on sports and exercise science providing another scientific chapter on physiology which is applied and will be of interest to all those thinking of employment in sports or leisure industry.The book is accessible and learner-centered and each chapter features: a connections feature that links the chapters together; learning tasks; questions for reflection and debate; examples to illustrate concepts, methodologies and to explore contemporary issues; a case study on obesity, food and diet.Comprehensive, accessible and written by leading experts in the different fields, this is the introductory text for all students of health studies.Jennie Naidoo is retired Principal Lecturer at University of West of England.Jane Wills is Professor of Public Health and Health Promotion at London South Bank University.

Uses examples to illustrate concepts and methodologiesIncludes questions for discussion, reading, and reflection.Each chapter features a case study on food, diet and obesity as a contemporary health issue.