This pioneering work addresses a key issue that confronts all industrialised nations: How do we organise healthcare services in accordance with fundamental human rights whilst competing with scientific and technological advances powerful commercial interests and widespread public ignorance? The Nature of Health presents a coherent affordable and logical way to build a healthcare system. It argues against a health system fixated on the pursuit of longevity and suggests an alternative where the ability of an individual to function in worthwhile relationships is a better more human goal. By reviewing the etymology sociology and anthropology of health this controversial guide examines the meaning of health and proves how a community-centred healthcare system improves local economy creates social capital and is affordable rational personal and just.