People-Centred Public Health
By Jane South, Judy White and Mark Gamsu
ISBN
978-1447305309Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressISBN
978-1447305316Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy Press
People-Centred Public Health
People-centred public health examines how members of the public can be involved in delivering health improvement, primarily as volunteers or lay health workers. With a foreword by Professor Sir Michael Marmot and Dr Mike Grady, this timely book draws on a major study of lay engagement in public health, using case studies and real life examples to provide a comprehensive and accessible overview of policy, practice and research in this area. In an economic and political climate where there is renewed interest in the role of the citizen, the authors challenge old orthodoxies in public health and build a coherent argument for radical change in the way public agencies support lay action. The book is aimed at readers with an academic or professional interest in public health and/or community involvement, including practitioners and managers within public services and the voluntary sector, and post-graduate and undergraduate students studying public health, health promotion, public sector management, social policy and community work.
"Acknowledging citizens are part of the solution, not the problem, could lead to a 21st century flourishing of Public Health as important as the first one in the 19th century." Trevor Hopkins, Asset Based Consulting & co-author of 'A glass half-full'
“Participation is essential to health promotion action and people have to be at the centre of decision-making processes for it to be effective. This book offers a valuable, critical and timely analysis as government policy develops on active citizenship.” Jane Wills, Professor of Health Promotion, London South Bank University
"I recommend this book to anyone interested in the future of public health. It offers a compelling guide to the policies, research and practice for anyone that is engaged in helping people and communities to become active citizens taking control of the factors that will radically improve their health." David Buck, Senior Fellow, Public health and health inequalities, Kings Fund
Jane South is Professor of Healthy Communities and Director of the Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Metropolitan University.
Judy White is a Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion at Leeds Metropolitan University with many years experience of practice and research in community engagement.
Mark Gamsu is a Visiting Professor at Leeds Metropolitan University, and has worked on health inequalities at a senior level within the Department of Health, local government and the voluntary sector.
Foreword ~ Professor Sir Michael Marmot and Dr Mike Grady;
Preface ~ Dr Stephen Peckham and Professor David Hunter;
Introduction;
The policy context;
Lay health workers in practice;
Benefits and value;
The lay perspective;
Walking for Health: a case study;
Sexual health outreach: a case study;
Community Health Educators: a case study;
Citizen involvement in neighbourhood health: a case study;
Commissioning and delivery;
Dispelling the myths;
Future directions.
