International Public Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems, and Policies by Michael H. Merson, Robert E. Black, and Anne J. Mills. Gaithersburg, Md: Aspen Publishers, Inc; 2001. 775 pages, $52.95.
Merson, Black, and Mills have come up with an extremely useful book that provides the reader with a global perspective about the public health problems and challenges facing various developing countries (low- and middle-income countries). This text is written for both teachers and students involved in the education, practice, administration, and research in international public health.
DESCRIPTION
This edited book with 31 authors is designed to take the reader through 14 chapters addressing a wide range of topics and issues from an international perspective. The editors justify this collaborative endeavor of using a variety of authors by the "many dynamic areas and subjects" they have covered. This group of economists, molecular biologists, public health officials, sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists and epidemiologists enrich the presentation of the discussions of international public health. The authors begin with a very clear definition of international public health and establish the connection between the biological sciences (human microorganisms and vectors), the quantitative sciences of epidemiology and biostatistics, and the social and behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, and anthropology).
The chapters vary in style and format but the authors provide thoughtful, provocative questions following each chapter discussing various topics. These questions are very useful in that they further challenge the thinking of the reader. The subtopics flow from the main topics and are appropriate to the format. The tables and figures complement the narrative and are appropriate to the topics being discussed. Two unique features are noteworthy. The first is the list of acronyms and the second is the comprehensive list of "sources" placed appropriately at the end of the last chapter.
I find the index to be very comprehensive, orderly, appropriate and easy to navigate.
EVALUATION
Chapter 1 sets the tone for the book by reviewing tools for measuring the health status and disease burden of a population. This is significant because an accurate measure on a global level can allow for comparisons among the various countries. The subsequent chapters provide the reader with information related to specific countries and, in some cases, identify prevention and intervention strategies having the greatest effect on the population. The authors use the anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories to address the cultural perspectives of the various groups as they suggest various strategies for effecting change.
The content is accurate and in most cases complete. There is no uniform style for all chapters, but this can be attributed to the various disciplines involved. Some topics are not addressed as completely as others, which could be because of limited information available on the subject. One strength of the book is the attempt of the authors to try to connect the various aspects of public health and show the global/international connection among the various issues. A regrettable weakness is the vast number of old references pertaining to major topics like nutrition.
SUMMARY
I think that this book attempts to provide an international perspective on the major public health issues common to many countries. Health risks, practices, and behaviors are global in nature. This book focuses on the need to provide effective solutions taking into consideration the culture, health beliefs, and behaviors of a cultural group. While there are common themes that flow through each chapter, the authors skillfully customize some of the findings for the specific countries. Because borders are shrinking globally, and people have become very mobile, moving across continents, it surely makes sense to look internationally for the etiology and epidemiology of diseases so that interventions appropriate to a cultural group can be introduced.
To conclude, this book is an important and timely contribution in the field of international public health.
Cynthia Johnson, MSN, EdD, RN
Associate Professor, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, Calif