Essential concepts for healthy living provides students with a clear and concise introduction to the latest scientific and medical research in personal health. With its unique focus on critical thinking and analysis of health-related behaviors and attitudes, this text enhances students understanding of their own health needs and presents the scientific background necessary for students to think critically about the reliability of health-related information they encounter in the media. The fifth edition update provides the most current data on a comprehensive array of health and wellness topics and issues. In addition to all of the statistical updates, the text now includes a built-in critical thinking workbook that allows students to easily assess and improve their health-related behaviors and attitudes. The fifth edition update includes the latest information on: health care costs; binge drinking; alternative medical therapies; mental illness and depression; sexually transmitted diseases; eating disorders; physical activity and health; cervical and prostate cancer; drug use and abuse; and much more!