PERSONAL HEALTH: PERSPECTIVES AND LIFESTYLES emphasizes the individual's personal responsibility for wellness by presenting general (core) and current health information to guide decision making. The focus of the text is to present health topics, including cultural, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, identify risk factors, and give students useful and sensible suggestions to reduce their risk for preventable diseases and conditions in order to achieve optimal levels of wellness for themselves, friends, and family. Filled with practical advice, stimulating discussion questions and self-assessment exercises, this text take an applied approach and empowers students to take control of their own health. Concentrated emphasis on health issues as they relate to various cultural differences make this text one of the most up-to date resources for health-related culture, gender, ethnic, and age issues.