"David Seedhouse is an important thinker whose work has helped to shift the philosophical analysis of health care from a peripheral activity to a prerequisite for competent thinking and responsible practice" Michael Loughlin, PhD, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK "Anyone concerned with improving the health of individuals and populations should be required to consider the arguments contained within Health: The Foundations for Achievement." Dennis Raphael, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Canada
"David Seedhouse's work is immensely valued by practitioners and ethicists. This second edition of his first book analyses health deeply, yet it is immediately accessible to anyone interested in giving or receiving ethical health care." Jenifer Wilson-Barnett, Professor of Nursing, King's College, London, UK
This inspirational book provides the philosophical backbone to countless courses for health professionals. It poses two fundamental questions - "What is health?" and "How can more health be achieved?" - and answers them at a depth unmatched by any other text in this field. David Seedhouse shows that these questions lie at the heart of health practice, and explains why all health workers should ponder them deeply.
This second edition retains the freshness and enthusiasm of the first, while making the foundations theory and its practical applications clearer and more accessible than ever. The book includes additional material and discussion, new case studies and revised illustrations.

• Describes and explores competing theories of health
• Establishes a practical and ethical foundation for health promotion and education
• Explains the foundations theory - a novel and comprehensive way to understand health
• Shows how the foundations theory might be used to create more humane health services

Health: The Foundations for Achievement is a uniquely memorable, emotionally moving book. It is an invaluable resource for medical, nursing and other health students, and should be read and re-read by all health workers, whatever their skills and qualifications.