For centuries health professionals have recognised that psychology can be a consequence of being ill and we know that a diagnosis of cancer or diabetes can make people anxious or depressed. This course, however, will draw upon health psychology, public health and community psychology to emphasise how psychology can also contribute to the cause, progression, experience and outcomes of any physical illness. This course will highlight the many roles that psychology plays in physical illness from i) being and staying well and the role of health behaviours and behaviour change; ii) becoming ill with a focus on illness beliefs, symptom perception, help seeking and communication with health professionals; iii) being ill in terms of stress, pain and chronic illnesses such as obesity, coronary heart disease and cancer; iv) the role of gender on health; and v) health outcomes in terms of quality of life and longevity.