This unique Handbook presents a wide range of chapters representing state-of-the-art summaries of research related to couple, marital, and family influences on health. In addition, coverage includes issues related to public policy, healthcare financing, and the conduct of funded research related to families and health. Coverage is broad with contributions from academics across a variety of disciplines. A major goal is to highlight common issues, concerns, and goals across diverse fields and the benefits of bringing multiple perspectives to bear on these issues. A significant portion of the handbook is also devoted to interventions to improve family health in such areas as genetically transmitted diseases, illnesses of childhood, chronic illness, caregiving, and medical family therapy.