A History of Public Health

by George Rosen

This paperback edition of George Rosen's classic account of the history of public health supplements the original text with Elizabeth Fee's introduction and Edward T. Morman's biographical essay and bibliography.

Genres: History, Health, Nonfiction, Science, Medicine, Medical, History Of Medicine

632 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

Reviews

[Filipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of great detail, but so dense and packed that you get tired and unable to remember almost anything.
Definitely an academic book, a quality one, not easy to read though.

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Rosen wrote this book, originally published in 1958, about the progress that humanity has made in this field. He was optimistic about the progress made with antibiotics and vaccines. He saw opportunity for the eradication of smallpox and malaria. He saw the trajectory of human progress as going upwards.

In 2018, this optimism has been somewhat muted by the realities of HIV/AIDS, by the lingering persistence of many infectious diseases, by the advent of antibiotic-resistant organisms, and by populist movements like the anti-vaccinators. The second half of the twentieth century brought a huge dose of reality to the field of public health.

The updated prologues to this book testify to these historical events. Nonetheless, Rosen's work provides a great template and introduction to the field of public health. From its early beginnings in Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other centers of civilization in the ancient world, public health campaigns have bettered the lives of billions.

I found it especially interesting to survey the different attitudes towards public health and nationalized medicine in various countries. For example, Germany has viewed healthcare with a nationalistic lens dating back to the nineteenth century and the advent of German nationalism. The United States, however, has long been suspicious of such an organizational plan and has suffered inefficiencies due to its paranoia. Cuba has excellent healthcare efficiency. The UK, originally split along political lines about nationalized healthcare, has since viewed its National Health Service with a great deal of national pride. Perhaps there is hope for the United States to resolve its internal squabbles after all.

[Jordyn Williams]

There were some interesting things and was a decent read for class, but I wouldn’t recommend it for general reading.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being published in the 1950's, this book is outdated, but that alone does not influence my rating because Rosen couldn't have known about significant public health problems of the future. The introduction uses contemporary insight and bias to judge the content of the book. I disagree with the introduction that certain things were omitted because I did think that they were touched on when relevant. Much of the content can be found in various books on medical history and could have been abbreviated. I would have liked to have seen other parts elaborated on.

[Kristen Johansson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely detailed and comprehensive view of public health development over history until the 1950’s. Incredibly dense but interesting to learn unique facts about public health’s development across thousands of years.

[Rachel Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting but I found it quite hard to read

[Erin]

s'24 - 201E - final project

[Alex Mattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

listen i get it, it’s fundamental for public health, i just wish it weren’t so goddamn boring. i read it for a class, and i get it, but don’t pick this up if you’re reading for fun. because it isn’t fun

[Bob Koelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is considered a classic text in the subject, written in the 1950s, and this edition begins with an exhaustive consideration of its importance, and an interpretation of its old-fashioned view of the inevitability of scientific progress. The text presupposes a great deal of knowledge about 19th century British politics, among other topics, so the reader will be inundated with names and movements that should be investigated. Keep Wikipedia on speed dial.

[Curtis Seven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was written in 1958 it provides an excellent back story to the modern era. Combined with other books on the subject it makes a good foundation element. Disease in the modern era has been attacked with modern science but it's specter is still with us.

[Guille · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative and comprehensive work, spanning the ancient world to the mid 50´s (when it was published). Required reading for anyone interested in Public Health and how it has been shaped by social, political and economic forces.

[James Madsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid account of the history of public health.

[Mills College Library]

614.4 R8131 2015

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Added a star for historical significance. This is the first major record of public health history.