Core Concepts In Health - 2026 Release

New Chapter on Sleep. A new chapter dedicated to sleep has been added to the Fourth Canadian Edition (Chapter 17). This chapter introduces sleep biology, including the relationship between sleep and health. It offers tips to achieve high-quality sleep and provides sleep-related statistics.

Expert contributors. A team of Canadian contributors have updated select chapters to share their expert knowledge (Chapters 4, 5, 9, 15 and 18). This collaborative approach of updating the Fourth Canadian Edition provides a well-rounded and credible source of scientific information for students.

Focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Fourth Canadian Edition provides a greater focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion as it relates to health. This includes inclusive language updated throughout and more diverse examples.

Topical and current content. Every chapter in the Fourth Canadian Edition of Core Concepts of Health has been updated. Irwin/Insel brings the most current, scientifically based information to students about topics and issues that concern Canadians. This includes exercise, stress, nutrition, weight management, contraception, intimate relationships, COVID-19, HIV infection, drugs, alcohol, and more.

Up-to-date Canadian statistics. The Fourth Canadian Edition features the most up-to-date Canadian statistics and information on the dimensions of wellness and major health challenges currently facing Canadians.

New Connect Experience. Significant improvements to the instructor workflows in Connect have been made, including the addition of new features designed to make managing your course even easier. New features include the ability to add co-instructors to a section, a new Assignments tab, a redesigned section dashboard, optimizations for mobile use, and improved accessibility.

A Trusted Leader. Core Concepts in Health has maintained its leadership position in the field of personal health education for almost 50 years. Since Insel and Roth pioneered the concept of self-responsibility for personal health in 1976, millions of students have learned to become active, informed participants in their own health care. This history of excellence motivated the creation of the Canadian edition, which has been used by over 25,000 students in colleges and universities across Canada.

Canadian Focus. Core Concepts in Health brings current, scientifically based, and accurate information to students about topics and issues that concern Canadians.

Relevancy. Irwin/Insel provides content that's relevant for students. It offers information within a Canadian context so students can understand how the material applies to their own lives. The information is current and diverse, allowing students to understand their bodies and how they can influence their own health and the health of others.

Approachable. Current, complete, and straightforward coverage is balanced with user-friendly features designed to make the resource appealing. Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style and presented in a colourful, open format, Core Concepts in Health, invites students to read, learn, and remember. Boxes, tables, artwork, photographs, and many other features highlight areas of special interest.

Exploration of current topics. A variety of feature boxes are included throughout the Fourth Canadian Edition to highlight key content and engage students. Box feature topics include In the News, Mind/Body/Spirit, Take Charge, Critical Consumer, Dimensions of Diversity, Gender Matters, Assess Yourself, In Focus, and Thinking About the Environment.