Abstract
Health care is the largest industry in the United States and comprises 14% of the gross domestic product. The great majority of the spending in health care is for treatment. Preventing disease and promoting the health of all Americans has typically received a low priority in the allocation of health resources, representing less than 3.4% of total health expenditures nationwide. However, changes in health care delivery, most notably the widespread use of capitation as a cost control measure in managed care, are beginning to place an unprecedented emphasis on prevention and the assessment of outcomes. As a result, health and wellness has become an increasingly important concept for health care professionals including rehabilitation counselors who work with people with disabilities or chronic illness. This paper provides an overview of the construct of wellness and psychological instruments that can be used in rehabilitation plan development, counseling interventions, and program evaluation.