This unit begins by exploring some of the concepts, theories and definitions of health. It will go on to look at the models of health which have dominated sociology since the mid-nineteenth century. You will learn about concepts of ill-health including models of disability, the sick role and iatrogenesis. The unit goes on to examine the roles of a national and international health organisation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). You will learn about how patterns, causes and effects of disease in populations are studied, learning key terms like epidemiology and demography. You will go on to consider what Public Health Agencies and Local authorities do with this information in terms of planning public health strategies and working towards more preventative measures.