This is the only survey of the US public health system to combine the perspectives of academicians and public health professionals. Replete with illuminating case studies, the text describes basic public health activities and services including the organization of our public health system, administrative and management concerns, financing, use of technology, and workforce and reform issues.

The text explores and analyzes those aspects of the public health system that have successfully achieved their goals and those that have not. It addresses careers in public health and the educational requirements and skills needed to attain them, including new accreditation and certification programs. New public health initiatives are discussed including evidence-based practices, along with such critical issues as health disparities, emergency preparedness, and health care technology. The text covers the cost, financing, and outcomes of the US public health system and includes extensive references, statistics, and tables from current health reports (i.e. the CDC Healthy People 2010 objectives and IOM Report Future of Public Health).

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the US public health system for public health, nursing, medical, and pharmacology students
• Combines the academic and practical experience of leaders in public health
• Includes plentiful case studies offering real-world examples
• Reflects the latest public health certification requirements and standards including the CHP exam
• Addresses critical issues such as health disparities, emergency preparedness, health care technology, and evidence-based practice

1. Introduction and Overview

The Promise of Public Health

Prevention: The Cornerstone of Public Health

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention

Secondary and Tertiary Prevention and Public Health

The Practice of Public Health

How Do We Define Health?

The Determinants of Health

Physical Environment

Social Environment

Genetic Inheritance

Health Behavior

Health Care as a Determinant of Health

Relationship Between the Determinants of Health

Ecological Models and Public Health Practice

Health Promotion and the Ecological Models in Public Health Since 1960

PRECEDE-PROCEED and Health Promotion

Why Health Promotion?

Criticisms of Health Promotion

Population Health and Reemphasis of the Social

Environment in Public Health Models

Health Impact Pyramid

The Prospects for Public Health

References

2. Origins of Public Health 49

Introduction

Classification of Health Problems

Life During the Industrial Revolution

Living Conditions

Factory Life

Child Labor

Health Problems of the Times

Modern Public Health is Born

Public Outcry

Public Response to Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Public Response to Injuries and Noninfectious Diseases

Success of Public Health Measures

3. Organization and Financing of Public Health

Introduction

Organization of Public Health System

10 Essential Services

Federal Public Health

Department of Health and Human Services: Public Health Service

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious Diseases

Noninfectious Diseases and Injuries

National Center for Health Statistics

Other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Offices and Centers

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Health Resources and Services Administration

Food and Drug Administration

National Institutes of Health

Indian Health Service

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration

Other Department of Health and Human Services

Divisions

Other Federal Agencies

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of Labor

Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense

State Public Health

Organization and Governance

Services and Activities

Surveillance and Epidemiology

Environmental Health

Maternal and Child Health

Emergency Preparedness

Regulation, Inspection, and Licensing

Personal Health Care

Priorities

Relationship to 10 Essential Health Services

Local Public Health

Organization and Governance

Workforce

Services and Activities

Surveillance and Epidemiology

Primary Prevention

Maternal and Child Health

Emergency Preparedness

Personal Health Care

Funding Public Health

Federal

State

Local

Source of Local Public Health Funding

Amount Expended on Local Public Health

Other Funding Consideration

4. Infectious Disease Control

Pandemic and Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza

Clinical Manifestations

Planning and Preparedness

Perinatal Hepatitis B

Public Health Management: Case of New York State

Foodborne Disease

Signs and Symptoms of Foodborne Illness

Treating Foodborne Illness

Selected Common Bacterial Foodborne Illnesses

Prevention of Foodborne Disease

Rising Public Health Risk of Unvaccinated Children

Measles: A Case Study

Immunization Successes

Investigation of A Disease Outbreak or Epidemic

Verify Diagnosis

Establish Existence of Outbreak

Characterize Distribution of Cases by Person, Place, and Time

Time

Place

Person

Develop and Test Hypothesis

Institute Control Measures

Two Investigations of Salmonella Outbreaks

5. Injuries and Noninfectious Diseases

Introduction

Motor Vehicle Injuries

Surveillance and Research

Child Passenger Safety

Teen Drivers

Interventions

Child Passenger Safety

Teen Drivers

Childhood Obesity

Surveillance and Research

Interventions

Improving Access to Medical Care

6. Public Health System Performance

Accountability and Evidence-Based Public Health

Population Level Outcomes

Sources of Evidence-Based Public Health

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality

Association of State and Territorial Health Official

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Cochrane Collaboration

E-Roadmap to Evidence-Based Public Health Practice

ExpectMore.gov

National Association of County and City Health Officials

New York State Department of Health

Public Health System Improvement

Accreditation and Credentialing

Council on Education for Public Health

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals Project

National Board of Public Health Examiners

Public Health Accreditation Board

Report Card Initiatives

Healthy People

State Report Cards

America's Health Rankings

Effectiveness and Equity of Public Health System

Life Expectancy and Age-Adjusted Mortality

Quality of Life-Adjusted Measure

Infant, Neonatal, and Maternal Mortality

7. Public Health: Promise and Prospects

Has Public Health Lived Up to Its Ideal?

What are the Barriers to Public Health in Meeting Its Mission?

Global Health Threats and Public Health in the United States

Challenges for Public Health

Index