Population Health, Epidemiology, and Public Health: Management Skills for Creating Healthy Communities

COVID-19 triggered broad discussions of population health, epidemiology, and public health, not only in academic communities but also in society at large. Although masks, social distancing, and vaccines helped curb its spread, the novel coronavirus will clearly not be the last infectious disease that tests our preparedness. Healthcare professionals must continue to collaborate and implement new strategies to mitigate future crises. Population Health, Epidemiology, and Public Health: Management Skills for Creating Healthy Communities presents the principles and tools that administrators and practitioners need to monitor, assess, and manage the health of populations in challenging times. Although public health catastrophes can and will change over time, the key concepts and evidence-based lessons detailed in this book are both timeless and essential. Author Rosemary M. Caron uses real-world case studies and examples to teach unique and innovative approaches to population health improvement. This significantly updated edition includes five new chapters on the social determinants of health, disease prevention strategies, the value of a systems-thinking methodology, and the application of population health principles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other new content in this edition includes: current public health initiatives, including Healthy People 2030; discussions on ethical conduct in research; up-to-date epidemiological case studies on Salmonella, Zika virus, measles, and COVID-19; approaches to population health, such as community health needs assessments and Health in All Policies; and exercises that draw on data sources. Each chapter concludes with discussion prompts and key points to reinforce readers' understanding of the concepts presented. Healthcare managers who are armed with the foundational principles described in this book will help their organizations take greater strides toward building healthier communities and facing future crises head-on.