Public Health, Disease and Development: Social Perspectives

Health is a state where a person has complete emotional, physical and mental wellbeing and it is dependent upon a stable mind and healthy environment. Public health refers to the science of preventing disease, prolonging life and encouraging health through the organized efforts and informed decisions of society, organizations, communities and individuals. The foundation of public health is the examination of a population's health and the challenges it faces. The social perspectives of public health and disease take into account the interaction between health and society. It encompasses all the aspects of life, including modern and historical influences, which have affected and transformed the wellbeing and heath of people. The status of health in a society is directly interlinked with its value system, cultural traditions and its political, economic and social organization. According to the social perspective, disease and its development is considered a result of poverty, which is measured through per capita income along with malnutrition, poor health, sanitation, clothing and shelter. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of public health as well as its relation to disease and development. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.