Ruth Cross

What is health? What does health mean to people? How do we make sense of health and experience it? There are no simple answers to these questions. Health is complex, subjective and varied. Drawing on theory, research and contemporary debates, Ruth Cross explores the nature of health in depth and challenges our thinking about it. Moving beyond taken-for-granted assumptions, she gives the meaning of ‘health’ its due attention, exploring everyday perspectives as well as ‘expert’ medical, academic and policy understandings and approaches. In doing so, the book brings together different knowledge and expertise on health, also considering the inextricable links between human and planetary health. This book is important for all those working in the health field, or training to do so, seeking a broad understanding about health and all its complexity.

What is health? What does health mean to people? How do we make sense of health and experience it? There are no simple answers to these questions. Health is complex, subjective and varied. Drawing on theory, research and contemporary debates, Ruth Cross explores the nature of health in depth and challenges our thinking about it. Moving beyond taken-for-granted assumptions, she gives the meaning of ‘health’ its due attention, exploring everyday perspectives as well as ‘expert’ medical, academic and policy understandings and approaches. In doing so, the book brings together different knowledge and expertise on health, also considering the inextricable links between human and planetary health. This book is important for all those working in the health field, or training to do so, seeking a broad understanding about health and all its complexity.

Health Promotion Ethics: A Framework for Social Justice critically considers the ethical dimensions of promoting health with individuals and communities, encouraging a nuanced understanding of health promotion in the context of fairness, empowerment and social justice. The concept of social justice, indeed, is central. The book explores how health promotion should be considered in relation to moral, social and legal issues, from individual responsibility to government intervention, as well as the possibility that existing practice maintains rather than alleviates existing health inequalities by stigmatising certain groups. It also questions the ‘rights’ of those who promote health to use particular strategies, for example using fear to encourage behaviour change. The ethics of health promotion practice and research are considered, introducing several important debates. Case studies, international material and opportunities to reflect on practice are used throughout to bring the important issues under discussion to life, engaging both students and practitioners alike. The book provides a fascinating route to reflect on what it really means to promote health for all in a more equitable way.

Health Promotion Ethics: A Framework for Social Justice critically considers the ethical dimensions of promoting health with individuals and communities, encouraging a nuanced understanding of health promotion in the context of fairness, empowerment and social justice. The concept of social justice, indeed, is central. The book explores how health promotion should be considered in relation to moral, social and legal issues, from individual responsibility to government intervention, as well as the possibility that existing practice maintains rather than alleviates existing health inequalities by stigmatising certain groups. It also questions the ‘rights’ of those who promote health to use particular strategies, for example using fear to encourage behaviour change. The ethics of health promotion practice and research are considered, introducing several important debates. Case studies, international material and opportunities to reflect on practice are used throughout to bring the important issues under discussion to life, engaging both students and practitioners alike. The book provides a fascinating route to reflect on what it really means to promote health for all in a more equitable way.

A complete one-stop-shop for any student of health promotion. How to improve and protect public health is one of the biggest questions facing the 21st century and this book exists to help tackle it head on. Setting out the What, Why, When, Who, Where and How of health promotion across 20 bite-sized chapters. It explores the full range of theories, context and strategies that influence contemporary health promotion. Key features: Comprehensive coverage: all facets of health promotion introduced and explained Combines the theoretical with the practical: knowledge blended with the key skills and attributes needed for effective health promotion Extensive range of global case studies: read about the enormous range of possibilities and creative ways health promotion can be achieved This is the ideal textbook for any undergraduate or pre-registration student starting their health promotion or public health journey. It provides a complete package of information that will lay the groundwork for your learning and future practice and will help you succeed with assignments, essays and exams.

A complete one-stop-shop for any student of health promotion. How to improve and protect public health is one of the biggest questions facing the 21st century and this book exists to help tackle it head on. Setting out the What, Why, When, Who, Where and How of health promotion across 20 bite-sized chapters. It explores the full range of theories, context and strategies that influence contemporary health promotion. Key features: Comprehensive coverage: all facets of health promotion introduced and explained Combines the theoretical with the practical: knowledge blended with the key skills and attributes needed for effective health promotion Extensive range of global case studies: read about the enormous range of possibilities and creative ways health promotion can be achieved This is the ideal textbook for any undergraduate or pre-registration student starting their health promotion or public health journey. It provides a complete package of information that will lay the groundwork for your learning and future practice and will help you succeed with assignments, essays and exams.

Contemporary Health Studies provides an accessible introduction to current issues and key debates in understanding and promoting health. Its up-to-date, global focus places a strong emphasis on the social, political and environmental dimensions of health. Part One sets the scene by looking closely at the definition of ‘health’ and outlining the aims and purpose of health studies. Part Two explores the different disciplines that underpin health studies, such as sociology, psychology, anthropology and health psychology, incorporating new theoretical frameworks to help readers understand health. Part Three applies this knowledge to address the determinants of health, including chapters on individual factors, the role of public health, the latest policy influences on health and the growing importance of the global context. Each chapter contains contemporary statistics and evidence alongside carefully developed learning features designed to highlight the fundamentals of each topic, to apply these to in-depth case studies – from global antibiotic resistance to the challenge and promise of digital data –, and to pose questions for reflection and debate. Contemporary Health Studies is an essential guide for undergraduate health students written by three authors who have a wealth of teaching experience in this subject area. Their book will inspire readers to consider the human experience of health within contemporary global society as it is mediated by individual, societal and global contexts.

Contemporary Health Studies provides an accessible introduction to current issues and key debates in understanding and promoting health. Its up-to-date, global focus places a strong emphasis on the social, political and environmental dimensions of health. Part One sets the scene by looking closely at the definition of ‘health’ and outlining the aims and purpose of health studies. Part Two explores the different disciplines that underpin health studies, such as sociology, psychology, anthropology and health psychology, incorporating new theoretical frameworks to help readers understand health. Part Three applies this knowledge to address the determinants of health, including chapters on individual factors, the role of public health, the latest policy influences on health and the growing importance of the global context. Each chapter contains contemporary statistics and evidence alongside carefully developed learning features designed to highlight the fundamentals of each topic, to apply these to in-depth case studies – from global antibiotic resistance to the challenge and promise of digital data –, and to pose questions for reflection and debate. Contemporary Health Studies is an essential guide for undergraduate health students written by three authors who have a wealth of teaching experience in this subject area. Their book will inspire readers to consider the human experience of health within contemporary global society as it is mediated by individual, societal and global contexts.

Health promotion is a key mechanism in tackling the foremost health challenges faced by developing and developed nations. Covering key concepts, theory and practical aspects, this new edition continues to focus on the themes central to health promotion practice worldwide. Social determinants, equality and equity, policy and health, working in partnerships, sustainability, evaluation and evidence-based practice are detailed, and the critical application of health promotion to practice is outlined throughout the book. Beginning with the foundations of this important area, in this new edition the authors then place greater emphasis on the role of power within health and communities. Drawing upon international settings and teaching experience in the global North and South, it finishes with a summary of the future directions of professional health promotion practice. Placing a strong emphasis on a global context, this book provides an accessible and engaging resource for postgraduate students of health promotion, public health nursing and related subjects, health practitioners and NGOs.

Health promotion is a key mechanism in tackling the foremost health challenges faced by developing and developed nations. Covering key concepts, theory and practical aspects, this new edition continues to focus on the themes central to health promotion practice worldwide. Social determinants, equality and equity, policy and health, working in partnerships, sustainability, evaluation and evidence-based practice are detailed, and the critical application of health promotion to practice is outlined throughout the book. Beginning with the foundations of this important area, in this new edition the authors then place greater emphasis on the role of power within health and communities. Drawing upon international settings and teaching experience in the global North and South, it finishes with a summary of the future directions of professional health promotion practice. Placing a strong emphasis on a global context, this book provides an accessible and engaging resource for postgraduate students of health promotion, public health nursing and related subjects, health practitioners and NGOs.

A global view of health offers a richer understanding of ways of measuring, improving and sustaining health both in individual national settings and in the context of a strongly interconnected world. This book draws on social scientific insights and explanations to examine trends in global health. Moving beyond an epidemiological analysis, the authors use a social determinants framework and life course approaches to offer a critical introduction to the study of global health. Through individual chapters focusing on topics such as health policy, global governance, health systems and health-related protests, the authors present the scope of global health studies and introduce readers to broader ranging issues such as globalization and political forces. Key themes such as power, inequality and inequity - and their impact on health on a global scale - recur throughout the book. International examples and case studies are used to illustrate the discussion, which is further supported by opportunities for reflection and further reading. This book will be an important resource for students studying global health and will have broad relevance to those undertaking health, health-related and allied health professional courses.

A global view of health offers a richer understanding of ways of measuring, improving and sustaining health both in individual national settings and in the context of a strongly interconnected world. This book draws on social scientific insights and explanations to examine trends in global health. Moving beyond an epidemiological analysis, the authors use a social determinants framework and life course approaches to offer a critical introduction to the study of global health. Through individual chapters focusing on topics such as health policy, global governance, health systems and health-related protests, the authors present the scope of global health studies and introduce readers to broader ranging issues such as globalization and political forces. Key themes such as power, inequality and inequity - and their impact on health on a global scale - recur throughout the book. International examples and case studies are used to illustrate the discussion, which is further supported by opportunities for reflection and further reading. This book will be an important resource for students studying global health and will have broad relevance to those undertaking health, health-related and allied health professional courses.

Health communication is key to promoting good population and individual health outcomes. As the field has developed, there is a growing need for a critical appraisal of the ideologies and theories underpinning health communication in order to ensure effective practice. This book clearly situates health communication within its social context. It provides a critical overview of three key disciplinary areas – education, psychology and communication. Drawing on international examples throughout, the book challenges the underlying assumptions that drive the design and delivery of health promotion interventions. The authors argue that health communication is inherently political and pay close attention to issues of power, ethics and inequality throughout the text. This book will be valuable for those students at all levels who require a critical perspective, as well as practitioners in health communication and health promotion. With reference to detailed examples and annotated suggestions for further reading, the book is an accessible resource for analysing contemporary health communication.

Health communication is key to promoting good population and individual health outcomes. As the field has developed, there is a growing need for a critical appraisal of the ideologies and theories underpinning health communication in order to ensure effective practice. This book clearly situates health communication within its social context. It provides a critical overview of three key disciplinary areas – education, psychology and communication. Drawing on international examples throughout, the book challenges the underlying assumptions that drive the design and delivery of health promotion interventions. The authors argue that health communication is inherently political and pay close attention to issues of power, ethics and inequality throughout the text. This book will be valuable for those students at all levels who require a critical perspective, as well as practitioners in health communication and health promotion. With reference to detailed examples and annotated suggestions for further reading, the book is an accessible resource for analysing contemporary health communication.