This text provides a structured discussion, emphasizing principles and methods, of the public health and epidemiologic approach to the investigation of the health problems of older persons. The authors bring a wide variety of backgrounds to this text, including geriatrics, gerontology, sociology, survey research, and economics, as well as epidemiology and biostatistics. There is a synthesis of traditional health measures, such as morbidity and mortality, with more modern health indices such as functional status, social networks and support, medication use and mental and emotional conditions. The text will assist both practitioners and investigators in approaching the health problems of older persons in the community and population context. It is a uniquely comprehensive resource.