Health Psychology: A Review

Abstract

Health psychology is a specialty field that focuses on how genetics, psychology, behaviour and social factors affect health and disease. Other terms, including medical psychology and behavioural therapy, are often used interchangeably with the word "health psychology." Health and disease are affected by a wide range of factors. While infectious and inherited diseases are common, many behavioural and psychological factors may have an effect on overall physical well-being and various medical conditions. Health psychology focuses on the advancement of health as well as the prevention and treatment of illness and disease. Health psychologists also focus on learning how people react to, deal with and recover from illness. Some clinical psychologists are trying to change the health care system and the government's approach to health care policy.