Health psychology looks at several factors and how they are involved in preventing threats to physical health. Most commonly, psychological, cultural, environmental, and biological issues are all addressed by those who study health psychology (Marks, Murray, Evans, & Estacio, 2011). In clinical settings, health psychologists work with others in the medical profession, conduct research, teach at colleges and universities, and work on showing people how they can change their behavior in order to live a healthier life (Michie & Abraham, 2004). Promoting public health is a very important part of health psychology and can entail anti-smoking campaigns, weight loss information, and discussions on the benefits of exercise.

The field of health psychology began as part of clinical psychology, but has since branched off and become a field in its own right. Within the field, there are four different divisions -- critical health, clinical health, community health, and public health. There...
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