Originally published in 1983 this book gives a basic grounding in community medicine and epidemiology for district, community psychiatric and other nurses and health visitors. It provides the background necessary to an understanding of how diseases occur and spread in populations, and to an appreciation of the possible planning and prevention that such health professionals can undertake. Although the book focuses on medicine and epidemiology, it is written specifically for nurses and health visitors, and throughout a conscious effort is made to relate the discussion to practical work. The book selects as illustrative case studies the topics of coronary heart disease, renal disease, accidents and psychiatric conditions.

W. E. Waters was Professor of Community Medicine at the University of Southampton. K.S. Cliff was Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine at the University of Southampton.