In concept and practice, public health casts a wide net, spanning
assessment, intervention, and policy; education, prevention, and
protection; public, private, and government entities. But key elements
are often missing from the picture, including a clear understanding of
public health and its goals by the general public, and specific public
health education throughout the workforce.
Preparing the Public Health Workforce responds to these and related
challenges by elegantly summarizing the state of the field in an era of
dwindling budgets, competing and overlapping services, and a shaky
professional infrastructure. In keeping with public health goals set out
by the CDC and other leading agencies, the author makes a real-world
case for standardizing training, establishing best practices in the
field, and coordinating public health systems with their healthcare
counterparts. Theory, case examples, tools, and callout boxes highlight
knowledge, preparation, and skills professionals need in addressing
chronic issues and complex emergencies. Throughout, the emphasis is on
greater competency and visibility for the profession, resulting in a
more informed, healthier public. Featured in the coverage:
- Issues in defining the public health workforce.
- The state of public health education.
- Practicing and teaching public health: local, national, and
international cases.
- Standardizing public health practice: benefits and challenges.
- Integrating public health and healthcare.
- The future of public health as seen from academia and the frontlines.
Identifying urgent issues and providing cogent answers, Preparing the
Public Health Workforce is a call to action for those involved in
creating the next level of public health, including professors,
practitioners, students, and administrators.
