This encyclopedia presents state-of-the-art research and ready-to-use facts on health and aging. The 250 entries and relevant appendices cover: biological; psychological; social; and economic aspects of health and aging and impacts within health-care systems. The Encyclopedia of Health and Aging covers issues including: - acute illness - Alzheimer′s disease - bereavement - cataracts - centenarians - dementia - economic aspects - dependency - exercise - health care costs - health promotion - hospice care - long-term care - managed care - medications - menopause - nursing homes - nutrition - obesity - optimal aging - osteoporosis - Parkinson′s disease - public policy - `quality of life′ - religiosity - sexual function - sleep disturbances - smoking - spousal care-giving - stroke - widowhood - wisdom Also included are landmark studies: Duke Longitudinal Study of Aging; Framingham Heart Study; MacArthur Study of Successful Aging; Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE); Health and Retirement Study (HRS); and National Long-Term Care Survey, as well as important social and health programmes including: social security, `meals on wheels′ and Medicaid/Medicare. Entries are written in an accessible style and format and will appeal to a wide audience including scholars within programs of gerontology and health, college and university students, members of the media, policy makers and healthcare advocates, and the general reader.