This book addresses the health of the whole world. Many simplifications were required for it to fit into a single textbook for students wanting to: 1) get an understanding of how the health of the world's population has changed over time; 2) learn about the main determinants for health; 3) how health can be measured and what the main idicators are for health and illness; 4)learn about what is causing illness, disability and death for large numbers of poeple; 5) to be acquainted with models and structures for health care around the world. The book is written from a public health perspective and shows the close link between health and social realities, money and the environment.