From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
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 as well as social
sciences (for example medical
sociology).
Historical overview
The foundations for the health
science fields are as old as the
human race. Humans have always
been in need of solutions to
address illness, injury, and
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 that
may or may not be backed by any
scientific support.
Acquisition of health-related
knowledge
See also:
Medical research
Application of health-related
knowledge
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
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,
stem cell research and
genetic engineering are
especially controversial issues
directly related to health
science.
Health practices
Conventional Western practices
Complementary and alternative
medicine
Spiritually-based healing
Traditional medicine and folk
medicine
Health practices of historical
interest
