| Health science is the discipline of applied science which
deals with human and animal health. There are two parts to health science: the study,
research, and knowledge of health and the application of that knowledge to improve
health, cure diseases, and understanding how humans and animals function. Research
builds on the pure sciences of biology, chemistry, and physics and also social sciences (for example medical
sociology).
Health Delivery
There are a large number of health professions. The terms
medicine or biomedicine, and
medical doctor or M.D. refer to dominant conventional practices in the West.
There are a wide range of traditional areas of health science. The most common areas are: medicine, nursing, midwifery, and various forms of therapy to supplement the healing
process and restore proper activity (e.g. recreational, physical occupational, speech, and respiratory). Health science
includes both the study and application of preventing and curing human diseases and disorders. Medical doctors include physicians and surgeons. There are many different branches of medicine; the other health care professions also have specialties or
focus on specific populations or settings of care. Public health studies
the effect of environmental factors such as available health care resources on the health of the general population, often
focusing on particular populations, such as mothers and children. Dietitians
educate people about proper nutrition, particularly specific dietary needs of
populations such as people with diabetes, breastfeeding women, and people with celiac disease. Other less
common medical areas include first aid and triage.
Dental health has grown in importance in recent decades making dentistry a
major field of health sciences. Counselling, hospice care, home care, nutrition, medical social work,
alternative medicine, pharmacology, and toxicology are all considered part of
health science.
Veterinary medicine is the health science dedicated
exclusively to the care of animals. Veterinary medicine is involved in preventing and curing animal diseases and disorders,
inspecting animal originated food (like milk and meat) and animal husbandry.
Contemporary Themes within Health Science
Because health science deals with human life, issues of medical
ethics, an important area of ethics, arise frequently. Medical ethics includes
questions on topics such as a patient's right to privacy. Euthanasia, abortion, human cloning and
genetic engineering are especially controversial issues
directly related to health science.
Historical overview
Health science fields are as old as the human race. Humans have always been in need of solutions to various health related
issues, such as childbirth. With modern technology and the backing of the pure sciences, the scientific accuracy of these fields
has greatly improved. Nevertheless, many cultures have and continue to use various herbs and other culturally specific solutions
to help solve health problems. These solutions may or may not be backed by any scientific support.
Health practices
Conventional Western practices
Spiritually-based healing
Health practices of historical interest
Related topics
External links and references
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