Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

PREFACE TO VOLUME 4

Volume 4 of the four-volume The Facts On File
Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine is unique in its
organization and presentation of content. The sec-
tions of Volume 4 extend across body systems and
medical disciplines to look at the larger picture of
health and health care. Though the entries in
these sections cover a broad spectrum of informa-
tion, the thread that connects all of these sections
is the individual’s participation, through lifestyle
choices and informed decisions, in his or her
health and health care.

Preventive Medicine
The protection of a population’s overall health,
particularly measures to maintain health and pre-
vent health problems, is a major emphasis. The
section “Preventive Medicine” examines efforts
and initiatives intended to reduce the general
risks for injury or illness. Entries present both per-
sonal and community-based perspectives.

Alternative and Complementary Approaches

The section, “Alternative and Complementary
Approaches” explores methods based in other sys-
tems of health care such as acupuncture and
herbal remedies. Entries present the methods
within the framework of how they fit within the
Western medicine model common in the United
States, with cross references to comparable West-
ern approaches discusses in entries elsewhere in
The Facts On File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine.

Genetics and Molecular Medicine
In April 2003 an international, cross-disciplinary
team of scientists completed the human genome
sequence, unraveling for the first time the struc-
ture of human existence. The section “Genetics
and Molecular Medicine” entries look at research

that uses the map of the human genome to

explore new pathways for understanding disease

and illness. Through this new knowledge lies

hope for preventing many of the health condi-

tions common today.

Drugs

Pharmaceutical therapies are the basis for treat-

ment of many health conditions, from infections

to cardiovascular disease to cancer. The section

“Drugs” contains entries that discuss the types of

medications doctors use to treat a wide range of

health conditions. Entries cover classifications of

prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter

products and include cross references to alterna-

tive remedies.

Nutrition and Diet

Nutrition (what the body requires to fuel its func-

tions) comes from diet (the foods people eat).

Dietary choices affect nutrition, and consequently

health, in ways that can support health and lower

the risk for disease. The entries in this section dis-

cuss the major categories of nutrients and explain

how dietary choices affect the body’s functions.

Fitness: Exercise and Health

Fitness reflects a personal choice to engage in

activities that maintain the body’s strength, flexi-

bility, and mobility to support optimal health.

Many researchers consider physical inactivity to

be the leading factor in the development of

chronic health conditions such as hypertension

(high blood pressure), diabetes, and obesity. The

entries in this section discuss the correlation

between regular physical activity and key health

conditions as well as present information about

how physical activity affects the body.

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