The third edition of Introduction to Public Health has been extensively revised and updated to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to recalibrate how public health is organized, financed, and planned in the 21st century. Written by experienced public health practitioners and academics, this foundational resource presents a thorough overview of the US public health system from its origins to current state and future directions, and examines the new outlook for students seeking careers in this dynamic and exciting field.

The textbook offers a sweeping examination of topics such as infectious disease control, injury prevention and noninfectious diseases, system performance and improvement, and public health leadership and communication. Emphasis is placed on efficiency, effectiveness, and equity for public health leaders to garner public support for evidence-based programs and develop a stronger, well-financed public health infrastructure to achieve population health improvements. An engaging narrative that is richly illustrated, Introduction to Public Health will challenge and inspire the next generation of public health leaders and practitioners to tackle the complex issues facing us today.

Key Features

• Provides a comprehensive review of the public health system that remains succinct and accessible
• Ties public health origins to current public health challenges facing the field in the 21st century
• Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the public health system as revealed over the course of the pandemic, suggesting future directions for growth and improvement
• “Did You Know?” boxes, “Key Ideas”, review questions, and links to outside resources clarify key concepts and offer opportunities for generative learning activities
• Addresses updates to the recently revised 10 Essential Public Health Services and relevant CEPH competencies
• Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers, and qualified instructors also have access to a full suite of instructor resources, including a detailed Instructor Manual with learning activities and case studies, PowerPoints, and Test Bank through an LMS course cartridge

Preface

Chapter 1. What is Public Health?

Chapter 2. Origins of Public Health

Chapter 3. Organization and Financing of Public Health

Chapter 4. Infectious Disease Control

Chapter 5. Injury and Noninfectious Disease Control

Chapter 6. Public Health System Performance

Chapter 7. Building Healthy Communities

Chapter 8. Public Health Leadership

Chapter 9. Public Health Practice and COVID-19: A Case Study

Chapter 10. The Prospects for Public Health

Glossary

Index