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Introduction to Public Health, 5th Edition

Authors :
Mary Louise Fleming & Louise Baldwin
Date of Publication: 09/2023
An understanding of public health – the systems, policies and theories that influence the health of the population – is important for decision making across the continuum of care. Introduction to Public Health provides a solid introduction to the ...view more

An understanding of public health – the systems, policies and theories that influence the health of the population – is important for decision making across the continuum of care. Introduction to Public Health provides a solid introduction to the key concepts of public health for undergraduate health science students and those new to the public health environment.

The text is divided into four sections, covering an overview of public health, the impact of policy and evidence, public health strategies and contemporary issues.

With contributions from a multidisciplinary range of experts, this fifth edition has been updated to include emerging public health challenges such as COVID-19, the impact of globalisation, wellbeing and chronic illnesses, as well as a clear understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of public health.

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An understanding of public health – the systems, policies and theories that influence the health of the population – is important for decision making across the continuum of care. Introduction to Public Health provides a solid introduction to the key concepts of public health for undergraduate health science students and those new to the public health environment.

The text is divided into four sections, covering an overview of public health, the impact of policy and evidence, public health strategies and contemporary issues.

With contributions from a multidisciplinary range of experts, this fifth edition has been updated to include emerging public health challenges such as COVID-19, the impact of globalisation, wellbeing and chronic illnesses, as well as a clear understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of public health.


New to this edition
  • New chapter about infectious diseases and COVID-19
  • Emerging public health issues including social and emotional wellbeing especially amongst young Australians, global health and contemporary challenges facing public health
  • Contemporary methods for planning and sustaining public health approaches

Key Features
  • Positions public health concepts within an Australian and global context
  • Fully updated to reflect current public health policy and environment
  • Concise and accessible; content is “chunked” for easy navigation
  • Chapter case studies and examples to help illustrate key points
  • Reflection opportunities to deliver maximum learning
  • Written by experts from various public health specialties, providing a broad multidisciplinary perspective
  • Suitable for undergraduate health science courses and a range of postgraduate health science courses including Graduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters in Public Health, Health Service Management and Health Administration
  • Accompanied by a suite of video interviews with local experts to provide local public health context

Student resources on Evolve:


  • Student quiz

Instructor resources on Evolve:


  • Case studies + reflection questions
  • Video interviews
  • Image bank

Author Information
Edited by Mary Louise Fleming, PhD, MA, BEd, Dip Teach, Public Health Consultant and Board Director. Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health and Social Work at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland. and Louise Baldwin, PhD, MHSc (Health Promotion), B.Ed (Sec), FHEA, School of Public Health and Social Work Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Australia