This practical and concise text presents the essential information necessary for nursing care in community settings including homes, doctors' offices, clinics, schools, and work sites. It is written from a health promotion and illness prevention perspective. Community-based care for the major population groups across the lifespan are addressed. Content on nursing care settings, roles, and interventions is addressed to provide the information needed to practice throughout the community. Chapters about all ages of the lifespan children and adolescents, adults, and the elderly highlight issues unique to each age group. A chapter on women's health discusses health care specific to women. A chapter on communicable disease provides timely information on bioterrorism, as well as other important issues related to communicable diseases. A chapter on environmental health emphasizes the importance of this key subject. A Case Study at the beginning of each chapter presents a "real-life" clinical example related to the chapter topic. Key Points summarize the most important concepts in each chapter. Learning Activities and Application to Practice exercises provide the opportunity to apply chapter concepts in the classroom and in clinical settings.