Social Injustice and Public Health

The fourth edition of Social Injustice and Public Health, a completely updated edition of the classic text, is a comprehensive, evidence-based resource for understanding and addressing the profound impacts of social injustice on public health. In 31 chapters written by experts in public health, human rights, medicine, nursing, law, and social science, this highly readable book documents the adverse effects of social injustice on specific populations and specific aspects of public health.

The book is divided into four parts. Part I explores the nature of social injustice and its adverse effects on public health. Part II describes how social injustice affects the health of specific population groups: socioeconomically disadvantaged people, people of color, women, children, older people, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, incarcerated people, people experiencing homelessness, and forced migrants. Part III addresses how social injustice affects specific aspects of public health: medical care, nutrition, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, mental health, violence including war, environmental and occupational health, oral health, and global health. Part IV discusses an agenda for action to address social injustice, based on human rights, public health policy and practice, stronger communities, education, research, law, social movements, and equitable and sustainable human development.

Enriched with photographs and illustrative examples and featuring contributions from national and global experts, Social Injustice and Public Health is the definitive resource on understanding and addressing the most important challenges to the public’s health.

Barry S. Levy, M.D., M.P.H., is a physician and epidemiologist who has edited and written 22 previous books on the public health consequences of social injustice, war and terrorism, occupational and environmental health, climate change, and related issues, and has written more than 250 journal articles and book chapters on these subjects. He is an Adjunct Professor of Public Health at Tufts University School of Medicine. He previously worked as a CDC epidemiologist, a University of Massachusetts Medical School professor, and director of global health programs and projects. He is a past president of the American Public Health Association and a recipient of its Sedgwick Memorial Medal.