Introduction to Public Health, Second Edition

The only public health text to incorporate new Affordable Care Act legislation

Praise for the first edition:
"More than just another preliminary textbook, this comprehensive introduction for those who are new to the field of public health weaves together its values, goals, and practices into a lucid introductory text."

—Sally Guttmacher, PhD

Professor, Director, Master’s in Community Public Health Program

New York University

This second edition of Introduction to Public Health is the only text to encompass the new legislation implemented by the Affordable Care Act, with its focus on prevention and its increase in funding for prevention research. Updated and thoroughly revised, this foundational resource surveys all major topics related to the U.S. public health system, including organization on local and national levels, financing, workforce, goals, initiatives, accountability, and metrics. The text is unique in combining the perspectives of both academicians and public health officials, and examines new job opportunities and the growing interest in the public health field.

Comprehensive and accessible, the text discusses a variety of new trends in public health, particularly regarding primary care and public health partnerships. The second edition also includes information about new accountability initiatives and workforce requirements to contribute to health services research and clinical outcomes research in medical care. The text stresses the increasing emphasis on efficiency, effectiveness, and equity in achieving population health improvements, and goes beyond merely presenting information to analyze the question of whether the practice of public health achieves its promise. Each chapter includes objectives, review questions, and case studies. Also included are an instructor’s manual with test questions (covering every major public health improvement initiative and introducing every major data system sponsored by the U.S. public health system) and PowerPoint slides. The book’s nine chapters address the history of U.S. public health from its inception and offer a sweeping examination of topics in organization and financing, infectious disease control, injury and noninfectious diseases, system performance, system improvement, public health leadership, building healthy communities, and the future of public health.

New to the Second Edition:

Completely updated and revised
Addresses changes brought about by Obamacare
Discusses building healthy communities and the determinants of health
Adds new chapter on public health leadership
Covers new developments in treating Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and other illnesses
Investigates intentional injuries such as suicide, homicide, and war



Key Features:

Provides information that is holistic, comprehensive, and accessible
Covers all major topics of organization, financing, leadership, goals, initiatives, accountability, and metrics
Relates current public health practice to the field’s history and mission
Analyzes successful and unsuccessful aspects of health care delivery