Epidemiology and the People's Health: Theory and Context
"Practitioners and users of epidemiology need a thorough grounding in both theory and methods of the discipline. Whilst many books address the latter, until Nancy Krieger's groundbreaking work there was no sustained presentation of epidemiological theory that could be recommended to students and seasoned practitioners alike. This book will become a landmark in advancing the field. It reminds us that why we do epidemiology is as important to understand as how to do it."  --George Davey Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Bristol; Co-Editor,International Journal ofEpidemiology"With erudition and passion, Krieger has produced the first comprehensive assessment of epidemiological theories concerning the major drivers of group differences in health by race, class, and place. She lays bare the sociology of epidemiological knowledge and leaves no doubt that epidemiological theories, for good or ill, can have powerful consequences for the people's health."  --Sherman James, Susan B. King Professor of Public Policy, Duke University"InEpidemiology and the People's Health, Nancy Krieger confronts the challenges that face epidemiology in the 21st century.  'How does epidemiology help to improve health?' Her response tackles how poor health tracks along social divides, and then she asks: 'why?' Perhaps a simple question, but in answering Krieger leads us across centuries and continents with a rigor that I can only describe as fearless. The result is sweeping in scope, both scholarly and succinct, detailed and synthetic, moving from complex concepts to concrete examples with depth, clarity and wit."  --Mary Bassett, African Health Initiative, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; former Deputy Commissioner, New York City Health Department"Without a doubt, Nancy Krieger is the most brilliant social epidemiologist of her generation. In this masterful volume, she displays a colossal breadth and depth of knowledge of historical and contemporary epidemiological theories in context, their scientific, social, and political roots and their implications.  Writing fluently, passionately, and authoritatively, Krieger shows the connections, past and present, among epidemiologic theory, methodology, practice, and, ultimately, the people's health. Not only does Krieger study epidemiological theory, she seeks to change it-with her highly original and well-grounded ecosocial approach that integrates biological, social, and political processes.... Every epidemiology and public health student, professor, and practitioner should read and reread this book."  --Anne-Emanuelle Birn, Professor and Canada Research Chair in International Health, University of Toronto; Editor, Textbook of International Health: Global Health in a Dynamic World"From miasma to contagion, germ to gene, Krieger artfully traces the history and debates surrounding diverse epidemiologic theories, unearthing a buried theoretical past. In so doing, Krieger enlightens current public health science. Specifically, she gives an unflinching account of the historically and culturally situated biases that have become entrenched in epidemiologic theories-supporting her central tenet that we cannot fully understand the distribution of health and disease in human populations without examining cultural, social and historical context. This book is not only informative, it is transformative-providing the historical foundation needed to re-imagine and recreate contemporary population health approaches that fully promote health equity."  --Karina L. Walters, William P. and Ruth Gerberding Endowed University Professor and Director, Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, University of Washington School of Social Work"(Krieger) has written a large, well-structured, critically argued and exhaustively referenced book, the culmination of two decades of her wrestling with and writing about the fundamental questions: Does epidemiologic theory exist; if not, should it exist; and what form shouldit take?"International Journal of Epidemiology"In this dense but highly readable volume suitable for health practitioners and public health students at any level, Krieger moves from the basic question, Does epidemiologic theory exist? (chapter 1) to examine historical examples (chapters 2), outline mainstream and alternative theories (chapters 5), present her ecosocial theory of disease distribution(chapter 7), and demonstrate how theory counts and references are woven within the narrative." --Health and Human Rights"...dense and highly readable...."--Susan R. Holman, Health and Human Right Journal"Ultimately,Epidemiology and the People's Healthis required reading for epidemiologists interested in the evolution and emergence of theory in the field. We would argue that all epidemiologists should be so interested... this book firmly establishes the importance of theory in epidemiology. We look forward to reading the many works it will inspire." --American Journal of Epidemilogy"Krieger's arguments are detailed and cogent" --Annals of Epidemiology