With increasing numbers of elderly people in our society, the importance of issues of health, illness, disability and health services for the elderly looms ever larger. The research literature has correspondingly expanded to examine these issues. In this volume, leading researchers in social gerontology present the current state of knowledge about health and ageing. Topics covered range from conceptual and measurement issues, to social factors in health and illness, to use of services, financing of health care, caregiving and medical consumerism amongst the elderly.