ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on establishing the context of health psychology by explaining the changing patterns of disease and describing the role of health psychology in understanding these needs. It begins by setting the context of health psychology. The chapter explains current health issues and how through policy and practice health psychology can have a positive impact on population health. The people's understanding of how the environment and behaviour impact on the people health, the more holistic approach to conceptualising health along with recent public health trends have made health psychology one of the fastest growing disciplines. The British Psychological Society also has a Division of Health Psychology, which promotes the professional interests of health psychologists and assists its members with the development of their professional skills in research, consultancy, teaching and training. Health has been recently defined as ‘the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges’.
