Introduction to Public Health: Promises and Practices, 3rd Edition

This book describes the public health system in broad strokes in order to focus the reader on basic public health goals, principles, structures, and practices. The context in which public health is practiced today has changed considerably since its historic roots in the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. However, the overarching goal of public health systems remains the same—to ensure through collective action a healthful environment for all people. The 21st century offers incredible challenges to public health. In order to meet these challenges, our aim in the coming years will be to embrace how, when, and where to improve the quality and value of public health received by the populations served.