Martin McKee – författare

Health systems everywhere face constant change as they seek to respond to evolving patterns of disease. This is especially true with communicable diseases where humanity is engaged in a constant evolutionary struggle with micro-organisms that are able to adapt rapidly to a changing world. This problem can be, for example, exemplified recently by the growth of antibiotic resistant infection.

This fascinating book confronts this challenge, looking at two regions where the pace of change is especially rapid, Europe and Latin America - places where health systems, many themselves undergoing rapid organisational transition, must find ways of adapting to an ever changing context.

The book begins with an historical overview, recalling how humans and micro-organisms have always competed, at times with profound historical consequences, before examining the current status of this evolutionary struggle. It assesses the extent to which human societies and their governments are prepared for the challenges ahead and reviews the experiences of countries in Europe and Latin America in developing effective responses.

Health Systems and the Challenge of Communicable Diseases will be of interest to those engaged in the development of health policy in high and middle income countries, and to those who are studying the creation and implementation of health policy.

Migrants make up a growing share of European populations. However, all too often their situation is compounded by problems with accessing health and other basic services. There is a need for tailored health policies, but robust data on the health needs of migrants and how best these needs can be met are scarce.

Written by a collaboration of authors from three key international organisations (the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, the EUPHA Section on Migrant and Ethnic Minority Health, and the International Organization for Migration), as well as leading researchers from across Europe, the book thoroughly explores the different aspects of migration and health in the EU and how they can be addressed by health systems.

Structured into five easy-to-follow sections, the volume includes:

“You won’t find a better textbook on public health than this. Comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date, informative, and very readable. A must for all public health reading lists.”

Emeritus Professor Mike Daube, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia

“In Issues in Public Health you will find detailed, evidence-based, contemporary discussion about the wide range of public health challenges facing public health professionals around the world.”

Mary Lyons, Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK

“An essential resource for anyone looking to understand the foundations of public health and its ongoing evolution.”

Dr Sandro Galea, Dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health, USA

What is public health?

By looking at the foundations of public health, its historical and contemporary evolution, and the themes that underpin public health, this book provides detailed answers to this important question and encourages you to develop your critical thinking skills. 

Written by experts in the field, the book discusses the core issues of modern public health, such as tackling vested interests head on, empowering people so they can make healthy decisions, and acknowledging the political nature of the issues. This new edition has a section on mental health, as well as five new chapters reflecting key contemporary and global issues:

• Commercial determinants of health

• Planetary health

• Conflict and health

• Ethics surrounding human rights and public health

• Information and public health

The third edition of Issues in Public Health provides a thorough overview of the key concepts, practices, and principles of public health. Timely and relevant examples have been used to illustrate the challenges and opportunities global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have brought to the surface.

Understanding Public Health is an innovative series published by Open University Press in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, where it is used as a key learning resource for postgraduate programmes. It provides self-directed learning covering the major issues in public health affecting low, middle and high income countries. 

Series Editors: Rosalind Plowman and Nicki Thorogood.

“You won’t find a better textbook on public health than this. Comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date, informative, and very readable. A must for all public health reading lists.”

Emeritus Professor Mike Daube, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia

“In Issues in Public Health you will find detailed, evidence-based, contemporary discussion about the wide range of public health challenges facing public health professionals around the world.”

Mary Lyons, Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK

“An essential resource for anyone looking to understand the foundations of public health and its ongoing evolution.”

Dr Sandro Galea, Dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health, USA

What is public health?

By looking at the foundations of public health, its historical and contemporary evolution, and the themes that underpin public health, this book provides detailed answers to this important question and encourages you to develop your critical thinking skills. 

Written by experts in the field, the book discusses the core issues of modern public health, such as tackling vested interests head on, empowering people so they can make healthy decisions, and acknowledging the political nature of the issues. This new edition has a section on mental health, as well as five new chapters reflecting key contemporary and global issues:

• Commercial determinants of health

• Planetary health

• Conflict and health

• Ethics surrounding human rights and public health

• Information and public health

The third edition of Issues in Public Health provides a thorough overview of the key concepts, practices, and principles of public health. Timely and relevant examples have been used to illustrate the challenges and opportunities global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have brought to the surface.

Understanding Public Health is an innovative series published by Open University Press in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, where it is used as a key learning resource for postgraduate programmes. It provides self-directed learning covering the major issues in public health affecting low, middle and high income countries. 

Series Editors: Rosalind Plowman and Nicki Thorogood.