Contemporary Public Health: Principles, Practice, and Policy

by James W. Holsinger Jr. (Editor), David M. Lawrence (Foreword by), F. Douglas Scutchfield (Introduction)

Overview

Public health refers to the management and prevention of disease within a population by promoting healthy behaviors and environments in an effort to create a higher standard of living. In this comprehensive volume, editor James W. Holsinger Jr. and an esteemed group of scholars and practitioners offer a concise overview of this burgeoning field, emphasizing that the need for effective services has never been greater.

Designed as a supplemental text for introductory courses in public health practice at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Contemporary Public Health provides historical background that contextualizes the current state of the field and explores the major issues practitioners face today. It addresses essential topics such as the social and ecological determinants of health and their impact on practice, marginalized populations, the role of community-oriented primary care, the importance of services and systems research, accreditation, and the organizational landscape of the American public health system. Finally, it examines international public health and explores the potential of systems based on multilevel partnerships of government, academic, and nonprofit organizations.

With fresh historical and methodological analyses conducted by an impressive group of distinguished authors, this text is an essential resource for practitioners, health advocates, and students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813141251
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	12/07/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James W. Holsinger Jr., M.D., Ph.D., is the Charles T. Wethington Jr. Chair in the Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky. He served as secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services from 2003 to 2005. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

Table of Contents

Dedication vii

Foreword xi

Preface xiii

Introduction: History and Context of Public Health Care James W. Holsinger Jr. F. Douglas Scutchfield 1

1 The Social and Ecological Determinants of Health Steven H. Woolf Paula Braveman 25

2 The Health of Marginalized Populations Richard Ingram Julia F. Costich Debra Joy Pérez 47

3 Public Health Workforce and Education in the United States Connie J. Evashwick 63

4 The Role of Community-Oriented Primary Care in Improving Health Care Samuel C. Matheny 85

5 Who Is the Public in Public Health? David Mathews 103

6 Public Health Services and Systems Research: Building the Science of Public Health Practice Glen P. Mays Paul K. Halverson William J. Riley 129

7 National Accreditation of Public Health Departments Kaye Bender 155

8 Contemporary Issues in Scientific Communication and Public Health Education Charlotte S. Seidman William M. Silberg Kevin Patrick 171

9 Partnerships in Public Health: Working Together for a Mutual Benefit Stephen W. Wyatt Kevin T. Brady W. Ryan Maynard 193

10 The Organizational Landscape of the American Public Health System Paul K. Halverson Glen P. Mays Rachel Hogg 205

11 International Lessons for the United States on Health, Health Care, and Health Policy Stephen C. Schoenbaum Robin Osborn David Squires 227

Conclusion: Future of Public Health C. William Keck F. Douglas Scutchfield James W. Holsinger Jr. 251

List of Contributors 277

Index 283

Editorial Reviews

"A compilation of valuable information that provides an overview of contemporary topics. The authors include many leaders in the field of public health."

Joel M. Lee

A comprehensive, integrated overview of public health in the early twenty-first century, something that few if any other works provide for students. Well-written and clear, with an excellent choice of topics.

Max Michael

"Contemporary Public Health offers a unique depth of wisdom based on a comprehensive analysis of the major forces shaping public health in our time. Dedicated to a true public health genius, Doug Scutchfield, this invaluable text will serve as an authoritative guide and a fascinating source of insights to inspire current and future generations as they serve the public's health."

Edward L. Baker MD

"A major contribution to the understanding of this very important field—past, present and future. It brings together a stellar group of authors and their collective work will be a real help to students, practitioners and policy makers alike. In a time of significant change in health, health care and public health, this work will be of great benefit."

William L. Roper

"If you are interested in more than a superficial and sound-bite driven discussion of the U.S.health care system, you really need to read 'Contemporary Public Health.' This comprehensive and thought-provoking book will definitely enrich your understnading of thhe disparity between where we are and where we potentially need to be on a topic that ultimately affects us all." — Aaron W. Hughley, Department of Counseling and Student Affairs, Wesrern Kentucky University

From the Publisher

These well written and succinct essays enrich the thoughts and the visions of the field of public health. — Dr. Michael W. Popejoy

Perspectives in Public Health - Dr. Michael W. Popejoy

As services for public health in the US face budget cuts and the field looks forward to opportunities provided by the Affordable Care Act, this edited collection of essays provides welcome historical and disciplinary perspectives on these and other contemporary public health issues.

Choice