Public health : what it is and how it works /

Turnock developed his book from an introductory course on public health concepts and practices, which he has taught for the past six years. The approach is said to differ from other introductory works in that it utilizes a systems approach to public health, analyzing its mission, functions, inputs, practices, outputs, and outcomes. The first chapter explains what public health is and offers a brief historical introduction (the author confuses Lister with Jenner in the second line of his opening chapter, but otherwise his historical sketch is adequate). The main thrust of the book is current trends in the US with chapters on health measures and health status, health and the health system, and the organization of public health. Four other chapters expand on these topics. Each chapter concludes with a series of questions and exercises, and a very brief list of references. Throughout are a variety of tables, figures, and inserts, all designed to be easily read and understood. General readers; undergraduates; professionals; two-year technical program students. V. L. Bullough; University of Southern California