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[[ca:Ciencies De La Salut]][[da:Helse]] [[de:Gesundheit]] [[eo:Sansciencoj]] [[es:Ciencias de la Salud]] [[fr:M�decine]] [[nl:Gezondheidszorg]] [[pl:Medycyna]]

The health sciences are the medical disciplines of applied [[science]] which deal with human or animal [[health]].  There are two parts to health science: the study, research, and knowledge of health and the application of that knowledge to improve health, cure [[infectious disease]]s, and to understand how humans and animals function.  Health science research builds on the pure sciences of [[biology]], [[chemistry]], and [[physics]] and also social sciences (for example medical sociology).

There are a wide range of traditional areas of health science.  The most common areas are: [[medicine]], [[nursing]], [[midwifery]], and various forms of [[therapy]] to supplement the healing process and restore proper activity (e.g. [[recreational therapy|recreational]], [[physical therapy|physical]] [[occupational therapy|occupational]], [[speech therapy|speech]], and  [[Respiratory therapy|respiratory]]).  Health science includes both the study and application of preventing and curing human diseases and disorders.  Medical [[doctor]]s include [[physician]]s and [[surgery|surgeons]]. There are many different branches of medicine; the other health care professions also have specialties or focus on specific populations or settings of care.  Other less common medical areas include [[first aid]] and [[triage]].

Dental health has grown in importance in recent decades making [[dentistry]] a major field of health sciences. [[Psychotherapy]], [[Palliative care|
hospice care]], [[home care]], [[nutrition]], [[medical social work]], [[alternative medicine]], [[pharmacology]], and [[toxicology]] are all considered part of health science.  [[Veterinary science]] is the health science dedicated exclusively to the care of animals.

Because health science deals with human life, issues of [[medical ethics]], an
important area of [[ethics]], arise frequently.  Medical ethics includes
questions on topics such as a patient's right to privacy.  [[Euthanasia]],
[[abortion]], [[human cloning]] and [[genetic engineering]] are especially controversial issues directly related to health science.

Health science fields are as old as the human race.  Humans have always been in need of solutions to various health related issues, such as childbirth. With modern technology and the backing of the pure sciences, the scientific accuracy of these fields has greatly improved.  Nevertheless, many cultures have and continue to use various herbs and other culturally specific solutions to help solve health problems.  These solutions may or may not be backed by any scientific support.

There are a large number of [[health professions]]. The terms [[medicine]] and medical doctor or M.D. refer to allopathic medicine.

===[[Health Professions]]===
* [[medicine|Allopathic medicine]]
* [[Alexander Technique]]
* [[Chiropractic medicine]]
* [[Dentistry]]
* [[Genetic counseling]]
* [[Homeopathy]]
* [[Medical illustration]]
* [[Naturopathic medicine]]
* [[Nursing]]
* [[Nutrition]]
* [[Occupational therapy]]
* [[Osteopathic medicine]]
* [[Pharmacology]]
* [[Physical therapy]]
* [[Physician assistant]]
* [[Podiatry]]
* [[Psychoanalysis]]
* [[Public health]]
* [[Physical Educators]]
* [[Social work]]
* [[Veterinary medicine]]

Spiritually  based healing:
* [[Christian Science]]
* [[Faith healing]]
* [[Shamanism]]
* [[Johrei]]

Traditional and ethnic traditions:
* [[Ayurvedic medicine]]
* [[Chinese medicine]]
** [[Acupuncture]]
* [[Native American traditional healing]]

Certain "Health Professions" are of historical interest:
* [[Magnetic healing]]
* [[Mesmerism]]
* [[Phrenonolgy]]
See [[history of medicine]]

===External Links===
* [http://www.neaahp.org/healthlinks.html Links to Health Professions Websites]

====References====
* [http://www.neaahp.org/healthlinks.html Links to Health Professions Websites]
* Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Health science" [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_science www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_science July 16, 2003]