Air, the Environment and Public Health

ISBN-13: 9780521831468 / Angielski / Twarda / 2005 / 258 str.

Anthony Kessel

Opis

Anthony Kessel explores the changing conceptions of air and health alongside historical developments in public health, and critically examines contemporary problems--conceptual, scientific, philosophical and ethical--in public health theory and practice. His book is a unique blend of public health science, history of medicine, ethics and philosophy. Its multi-disciplinary approach will be of interest to students as well as professionals in public health, environmental health, medicine, history of medicine, environmental philosophy, and medical ethics.

Recenzje

'Air has always played a role in human interpretation and understanding of health, and we are reminded of this today by disease names such as malaria, and by the presence of scattered high altitude TB sanatariums now converted to other use. Air, the Environment and Public Health explores the interrelationship of air and health from earliest recorded history to the present, as empirical scientific knowledge has gradually replaced former beliefs and misunderstandings. Because of its in-depth exploration of 21st century issues such as environmental ethics and climate change, and its linking of these issues to historical events in England during the preceding 150 years, Anthony Kessel's book is a timely and important read for all students and practitioners of public health, environmental health, medicine, philosophy, and the history of medicine.' Professor David Heymann, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Chairman of the Health Protection Agency

Spis treści

Glossary of terms and abbreviations; Foreword David Greaves and Tony McMichael; Introduction; Part I. Whole Air: 1. Early conceptions of air and health; 2. Miasma, contagion, and survival of the fittest; Part II. Polluted Air: 3. As far as is practicable: air pollution policy and public health in England, 1800–1900; 4. Hot air but little action: air pollution policy and public health in England, 1900–1939; 5. Disaster, reductionism and personal responsibility: air pollution policy and public health, 1939–1970; Part III. Air Pollution, Epidemiology and Public Health: Theoretical and Philosophical Considerations: 6. Measuring the health effects of polluted air: quantitative risk assessment case-study; 7. Epidemiological theory and philosophical considerations; 8. Public health, philosophy and the nature of evidence; Part IV. New Horizons: 9. Climate change: science and utilitarianism; 10. Climate change, social justice, and other moral frameworks; 11. The bigger picture: environmental ethics and new moral horizons in public health; 12. Conclusions and recommendations; Index.