Why did critical health psychology emerge? How have categories of social class and gender impacted on social identities? Where can health policy go from here, and how will health psychology inform its development? With contributions from leading experts in the field, this book deepens our understanding of health psychology at a time where traditional approaches are being rethought. Covering contemporary issues and with a focus on both mainstream and non-traditional areas, including material on social identities and social class, gender, and leadership in the NHS, the book provides cutting edge coverage of theory and research. Crucially, the book considers how theory impacts on practice and how health psychology can ignite change in health policy. Covering important issues with clear and fresh insight, this is indispensable reading for students, researchers and practitioners of health psychology, health studies and public health.