Understanding Public Health
Clear Thinking for Effective Action
Will be published approx. on 30. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
175 pages
978-1-009-55643-9 (ISBN)
Description
Offering a concise yet comprehensive overview, this textbook explains the fundamental concepts and frameworks that underpin the field of public health. Chapters define key terms and cover topics such as measuring health, technology, equity, leadership, health systems and reform. Real-world health issues, including COVID-19, obesity, HIV/AIDS and climate change, are used to make abstract ideas more easily digestible. Designed for students and professionals interested in public health, it includes learning objectives, illustrative examples, summaries of key takeaways, and comprehension and discussion questions to aid navigation and learning. An instructor manual and test bank are available as supplementary resources.
More details
Persons
Julio Frenk is the Chancellor (President) of the University of California, Los Angeles and a globally recognized public health physician and leader in higher education. He previously served as the President of the University of Miami and the Dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. As the Minister of Health in Mexico from 2000-2006, he reformed the nation's health system, expanding access to healthcare for millions. He founded Mexico's National Institute of Public Health and has held top positions in the World Health Organization and other global institutions. His scholarly production includes close to 200 articles in academic journals, as well as many books and book chapters. He has received numerous awards, including the Clinton Global Citizen Award, the Yale Bouchet Medal for Outstanding Leadership and the Welch-Rose Award for Distinguished Service from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.
Content
Foreword Gro Harlem Brundtland; Preface: the appeal of public health; Part I. Thinking About Health: 1. What is public health?; 2. What is global health?; Part II. Health: Definitions, Domains and Determinants: 3. Health conditions; 4. Conceptual basis for measuring health; 5. Determinants of health; 6. Health dynamics: how health conditions and needs change; Part III. Health Systems: The Organized Social Response: 7. Understanding complex systems; 8. Technology and health; 9. Health system performance; 10. Health system dynamics; 11. Challenges of health system reform; 12. The global health system: extending the organized social response; 13. The imperative of leadership; Part IV. Synthesis and Conclusions: 14. Applying the frameworks to the COVID-19 pandemic; Final thoughts: public health after the pandemic; References; Index.