Healthier Societies: From Analysis to Action / Edition 1

by Jody Heymann, Clyde Hertzman, Morris L. Barer, Robert G. Evans

Overview

Extensive research has shown that social factors are as important as biological ones in determining health, and their impact is enormous in both adults and children. The challenge of changing public policies and programs remains. Healthier Societies: From Analysis to Action addresses the fundamental questions which will lead the way toward countries investing seriously in improving social conditions, as a way of improving population health.

The book is divided into three parts. Section one addresses to what extent health is determined by biological factors, by social factors, and more fundamentally, by the interaction between the two. Section two examines four case studies that demonstrate the ways in which social change can dramatically affect adults' health, as well as launch children's lives onto healthy trajectories. This section analyzes the cases of nutrition, working conditions, social inequalities, and geographic disparities. The third section of the book takes a serious look at what would be involved in translating the research findings described throughout the book into action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195179200
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/17/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 6.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Harvard Medical School

University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

Table of Contents

Part IThe complex relationship between social and biologic determinants of health. 1. Interactive role of genes and the environment, John Frank, Geoffrey Lomax, Patricia Baird, Margaret Lock2. Biological pathways linking the social environment, development and health, Franke Hertzman and John Frank3. Global and local perspectives on population health, Margaret Lock, Vinh-Kim Nguyen, Christina Zarowsky4. A life course approach to health and human development, Clyde Hertzman and Chris Power5. Universal medical care and health inequalities: right objectives, wrong tools, Verena Menecs, Marni BrownePart II. An in depth look at several determinants of health6. Food, nutrition and population health: From scarcity to social inequalities, Lise Dubois7. Work and health: New evidence and enhanced understandings, Cam Mustard, John Lavis, Aleck Ostry8. Income inequality as a determinant of health, Nancy Ross, Michael Wolfson, George Kaplan, James Dunn, John Lynch, Claudia Sanmartin9. Role of geography in inequalities in health and human development, James R. Dunn, Katherine L. Frohlich, Nancy Ross, Lori Curtis, and Claudia Sanmarti NanPart IIIMoving from research to policy. 10. Social welfare models, labor markets, and health outcomes, Joachim Vogel, Töres Theorell11. What measure of economic well-being is most relevant for health?, Lars Osberg, Andrew Sharpe12. Reallocating resource across public sectors to improve population health, Greg L. Stoddart, John D. Eyles, John N. Lavis, Paul C. Chaulk13. Different approaches taken to child policy, A.L. Kozyrskyj, L.J. Curtis, and C. Hertzman14. Where do we go from here? Translating research to policy, Alison Earle, S. Jody Heymann, John M. Lavis

Editorial Reviews

"This book is such a valuable contribution to the field of public health because it is written in a voice that motivates, and provides a directive for action."—Doody's

"This book captures both the evidence that social circumstances affect health and its policy implications in a tightly woven and compelling narrative that successfully unites the contributions from this interdisciplinary collection of researchers. Figures and tables contribute to the clarity of the discussions."—ScienceDirect

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Lisa M. Kelley, RN, MS (Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing)
Description: This book takes the concept of social determinants of health to the level of implementation of policy, based on research, aimed at decreasing disparities.
Purpose: The purpose is to move those who are concerned about addressing the outside forces that shape individual and community health to action. The book is needed because we can all agree that social determinants shape health, but most of us do not how to begin to address this large problem. The book is successful is meeting these objectives.
Audience: The book is written for health practitioners and policy makers, as well as those in the social, behavioral, geographical, and environmental sciences. Though the focus is on individual and public health, the broad perspective should interest those working in these other fields as well.
Features: The book discusses determinants of health and how to address these from a policy and programmatic perspective. One of the best things about this book is the earnest and optimistic perspective it is written from. Moving from just talking about health disparities to discussing how the gap can be narrowed is bold. Additionally, the research discussed in the book was conducted globally and is pulled from many relevant but varied disciplines.
Assessment: This book is such a valuable contribution to the field of public health because it is written in a voice that motivates, and provides a directive for action.

Doody's Review Service