This encyclopedia advances the understanding of behavioral medicine principles and clinical applications among researchers and practitioners in medicine, psychology, public health, epidemiology, nursing, and social work. In addition, the encyclopedia provides useful synergies for sociologists, anthropologists, and undergraduates with some interest in the interface of human health and behavior. Areas covered include quality of life and lifespan issues; population, health policy, and advocacy issues; health promotion and disease prevention; behavioral care in all types of settings; biological, psychological, and person factors in health behavior change; professional development and practice-related issues; and much more. This encyclopedia is the first resource to which readers turn for factual, relevant, and comprehensive information to aid in delivering the highest quality services.

This encyclopedia comprehensively covers all aspects of what has become the dynamic domain of behavioral medicine. It collects together the knowledge generated by this interdisciplinary field, highlighting the links between science and practice.

- Not only is Health Psychology, a field that focuses on the promotion and maintenance of both physical and mental health, a rapidly growing area of interest, but it is also a field that draws on and contributes to the other varied fields of psychology, medicine, nursing, sociology, anthropology, among others. - Provides a relatively comprehensive and accesible overview of the central concepts, issues, conditions and terms that comprise the broad discipline of health psychology - Covers more than 200 contributions by more than 150 of the leading researchers, educators, and practitioners in the field