Epidemiology and the People's Health

Nancy Krieger is Professor of Social Epidemiology, American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, and Director of the Interdisciplinary Concentration on Women, Gender, and Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. An internationally recognized social epidemiologist (PhD, Epidemiology, UC Berkeley, 1989) and ISI highly cited scientist, her background includes biochemistry, philosophy of science, and history of public health, plus 35+ years of health justice activism. Dr. Krieger’s work on health inequities encompasses: (1) conceptual frameworks, including her ecosocial theory of disease distribution, focused on embodiment and equity; (2) etiologic research; and (3) monitoring and methodologic research.

• Preface: Second Edition Preface: 2013 Paperback Edition Preface: 2011 Hardback Edition 1. Does Epidemiologic Theory Exist? On Science, Data, and ExplainingDisease Distribution 2. Health in the Balance: Early Theories About Patterns of DiseaseOccurrence 3. Epidemiology Emerges: Early Theories and Debating Determinants ofDisease Distribution-Poison, Filth, Class, & Race (1600-1900) 4. Epidemiology Expands: Germs, Genes, and the (Social) Environment(1900-1950) 5. Contemporary Mainstream Epidemiologic Theory: Biomedical andLifestyle 6. Social Epidemiologic Alternatives: Sociopolitical and PsychosocialFrameworks 7. Ecosocial Theory of Disease Distribution: Embodying Societal &Ecologic Context 8. Epidemiologic Theory Counts: Harm, Knowledge, Action, and thePeople's Health References Index

This is an essential knowledge base with which to equip the next generation of health researchers to deal with the major existential questions we are facing. Krieger is an intellectual giant in epidemiology and public health, one of our great thinkers who takes us from past, present to future. I do not know of another book that so thoroughly reflects upon the impact of our socio-historical past of colonial rule and post-colonialism upon present population health, the influence of eugenics on health statistics, to thereafter brings readers up to date on the current and major preoccupations of public health and social justice. Essential reading for students, academics, and scientists at all stages of their career who take an interest in population health. In my opinion, Krieger’s writing is the only place where the intellectual depth and breadth of our discipline is laid out accessibly to novices and experts alike." Michelle Kelly-Irving, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier