Pioneers in Public Health

Jill Stewart worked as an Environmental Health Officer specialising in private sector housing for several years before becoming a lecturer in London universities teaching housing, public health, environmental health and social work at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. She is a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, a Fellow of both the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health and the Royal Geographical Society and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

'[a] timely and inspiring book' Environmental Health News"The authors of the 12 contributions to this readable book were asked to write about a pioneer for whom they had great regard, with an overall theme of examining how history informs current evidence-based policy. The result is an overdue focus on the important role environmental health plays in shaping modern themes in the UK and elsewhere, as well as giving insight into the profound effects on beliefs and actions that arise from the era, values and attitudes into which we are born … (Chadwick’s) well documented work is dealt with in Stewart’s excellent introduction, while the chapters cover lesser known pioneers... Even if you know about some or all of these pioneers, you will find new insights and fascinating facts about their lives and works. Stewart’s conclusion to these inspiring accounts is that the battles for public health resonates with our contemporary activities and that some supposedly ‘old fashioned’ views are more progressive, radical and forward thinking than those held by many who are in a position to do something about public health today’. This is a great book not only for students and new professionals but also for environmental health and public health practitioners. It will be invaluable for teaching. Stewart cites the historian Virginia Berridge’s observation that ‘history needs to be part of the process of evidence-based policy’. This book will convince you of this view and may help to develop the next generation of reformers and policy makers." Rosalind Stawell-Smith, RSPH Perspectives in Public Health

• Chapter 1 Introduction, Jill StewartChapter 2 Thomas Fresh: the First Environmental Health Practitioner, Norman ParkinsonChapter 3 Sir John Simon: A role model for public health practice? Alan PageChapter 4 John Snow: a pioneer in epidemiology, Hugh ThomasChapter 5 Sir Joseph Bazalgette: a man of persistence and vision, Alan Page Chapter 6 George Smith of Coalville (‘the Children’s Friend’): campaigner for factory and canal boats legislation, Susan Lammin Chapter 7 Duncan of Liverpool: The first Medical Officer of Health, Stephen BattersbyChapter 8 Margaret McMillan: advocate and practitioner of improvements in children’s health, Susan LamminChapter 9 George Cadbury and Corporate Social Responsibility: Working conditions, housing, education and food policy, Zena Lynch and Surindar DhesiChapter 10 Charles Booth’s Inquiry; Poverty, Poor Housing and Legacies for Environmental Health, Matthew CloughChapter 11 Christopher Addison: health visionary, man of war, Parliamentarian and practical pioneer, William Hatchett Chapter 12 Margery Spring Rice: throwing light on hidden misery, Deirdre MasonChapter 13 Berthold Lubtekin: 'Nothing is too good for ordinary people', Ellis TurnerChapter 14 Conclusions, Jill Stewart