Practising Public Health

John Ashton's Practising Public Health offers a firsthand look at public health challenges and triumphs over four decades, blending history with modern-day insights.

In Practising Public Health, John Ashton draws on his extensive 40-year career in public health to share impactful stories and insights from the front lines. He has influenced global leaders and organizations, advocating for improvements in public health at community, national, and international levels. This book captures a pivotal time marked by significant events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Grenfell Tower fire, and various health crises, highlighting the evolving awareness of public health issues in contemporary society.

As a former Regional Director of Public Health in the North West of England and co-founder of the WHO Healthy Cities Project, Ashton provides a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced in public health. Through engaging narratives and case studies, he illustrates the importance of public engagement and political action in driving meaningful change. The stories he shares not only reflect his hands-on approach but also emphasize the necessity of bridging theory and practice in the field of public health.

Practising Public Health connects the efforts of historical public health pioneers with today’s innovators, offering reflections on the events, decisions, and individuals that have shaped the discipline. This book serves as an essential resource for students in undergraduate and postgraduate public health courses, as well as for health professionals, social workers, community activists, and policymakers seeking to understand the dynamics of public health in a rapidly changing world.