"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 of into a lucid introductory text."

Sally Guttmacher, PhD
Professor, Director, Masters in Community Public Health Program
New York University

Affordably priced and designed to offer an inviting introduction to public health, this introductory textbook provides a comprehensive understanding of the unique history, economics, orientation, function, activities, and mission of public health. This concise reference describes the successes and failures of the public health care system, giving students a clear picture of the current status of the health care industry.

Introduction to Public Health also identifies new public health initiatives, including evidence-based practices, accreditation and credentialing programs, and more. Also discussed are critical, up-to-the-minute issues, such as health disparities, infectious and chronic disease prevention, and injury prevention. The book also presents real-life public health vignettes in every chapter to help conceptualize the complex set of factors that affect health.

• The origins of the modern day public health system
• Health promotion
• Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
• The determinants of health
• Federal, state, and local public health systems
• The financing of public health
• Infectious disease prevention
• Chronic disease prevention
• Public health system performance and measurement
• Healthy People 2010 and other key public health initiatives

This landmark resource comes with instructor's materials to use in class lectures.