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.
Dieticians 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
