Includes bibliographical references and index.

Understanding health care issues -- Understanding health and illness -- Understanding life span influences on health and illness -- Understanding the immune system -- Understanding the cardiovascular system -- Understanding the hematologic and lymphatic systems -- Understanding the respiratory system -- Understanding the gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pancreatic systems -- Understanding the urinary system -- Understanding the endocrine system -- Understanding the genitourinary and reproductive system -- Understanding the musculoskeletal system -- Understanding the neurologic system -- Understanding the sensory system -- Understanding the integumentary system -- Understanding mental health care.