The basic premise of this text is that, in addition to the presentation of basic cognitive and affective information, health education should go one step further by assisting student in developing decision-making skills. The text begins by offering the student a basic foundation of what is meant by health and how this meaning applies to the world, the nation, and the individual. The following section on mental health focuses on self-concepts, emotions, crises, mental illness, problem solving, and exploring ways of changing and growing. Chapters on sexuality are designed to present scientific information about the social, emotional, and physical elements of sex, sexuality, and sexual relations. The total combination of drugs, personality, and society is considered in section four, and factual information is examined in conjunction with decision-making skills. Section five discusses chronic and communicable diseases and preventive measures. The final section deals with health and aging; three ways of aging are identified: biologically, psychologically, and sociologically. Included in some chapters are exercises to assist the reader in clarifying attitudes and values; each section concludes with exercises designed to develop decision-making skills. References are also included. (DS)