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Welcome to Health Psychology: Theory, Research and Practice (Seventh Edition). This textbook provides an in-depth introduction to the growing field of health psychology. It is designed for all readers wishing to augment their knowledge about psychology and health, especially undergraduates and postgraduates taking courses in health psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, and other subjects allied to medicine and health care. The authors strive to present a balanced and up-to-date view of the field and its theories, research and applications. We aim to present the core ideas, theories and studies within health psychology and to examine the underlying theoretical assumptions and critically analyse methods, evidence and conclusions. This edition updates all content from previous editions and adds significant, new material and core topics. All central domains and topics relevant to health psychology are included. A key feature of this textbook is the equal priority given to biological, social and psychological determinants of health, illness and health care. The authors affirm that both social embeddedness and psychological influences are equally important to health and illness as genes and ‘germs', an inescapable reality as we continue to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. We attempt to locate health psychology fully within its global, social, political, spiritual and biological contexts. We attempt to provide a snapshot of the'bigger picture'using a wide-angle lens, as well as giving detailed, critical analyses of the'nitty-gritty'of theory, research and practice. This textbook introduces readers to the major foundations and …