Gebbie K, Rosenstock L, Hernandez LM, eds.; Institute of Medicine, Committee on Educating Public Health Professionals for the 21st Century. 2003. Who will keep the public healthy?: Educating public health professionals for the 21st century. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 320 pp. Annotation: This book provides an overview of the past, present, and future of public health education, assessing its readiness to provide the training and education needed to prepare for 21st-century challenges. Eight areas of importance to public health education are examined: informatics, genomics, communication, cultural competence, community-based participatory research, global health, policy and law, and public health ethics. Recommendations address the content of public health education, qualifications for faculty, availability of supervised practice, opportunities for cross-disciplinary research and education, cooperation with government agencies, and government funding for education. Statistical information is presented in tables throughout the book. Eight appendices include: a school of public health catalogue abstract, a school of public health survey instrument, the Association of Schools of Public Health survey answers, a paper on the education of public health professionals by Elizabeth Fee, a listing of occupational classifications, a collection of competency sets, an outline of public meetings held in 2001 and 2002, and committee member biographies. References and an index are provided. Contact: National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001, Telephone: (202) 334-3313 Secondary Telephone: (888) 624-8373 Fax: (202) 334-2451 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.nap.edu Available from the website. Document Number: ISBN 0-309-08542-X. Keywords: Communication, Cultural sensitivity, Ethics, Government financing, Professional education, Professional personnel, Public health agencies, Public health education, Public health infrastructure, Public health schools, Public policy, Questionnaires, Surveys |