Need some inspiration? Here are a few books that our staff recommend. See the full list on Amazon.
Image accessed on Amazon on 12/9/2019
Prevention First: Policymaking for a Healthier America
by Anand K. Parekh
“‘Penny wise, pound foolish.’ In Prevention First, Dr. Anand K. Parekh, chief medical advisor of the Bipartisan Policy Center, shows how policy decisions can have a profound impact on our health. Rather than focusing on individual change, Dr. Parekh tells some great stories about systems-level approaches to make the country healthier.”
— Catherine D. Patterson, Managing Director, Urban Health and Policy
Image accessed from Penguin Random House Publishing.
What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City
by Mona Hanna-Attisha
“This is a vitally important account from Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha about the crisis in Flint, Michigan, where she and a group of community advocates uncovered that children were being exposed to lead in tap water. This book is a powerful story of environmental injustice, a public health crisis, and the battle that ensued.”
— Rachel Locke, Program Associate
From NO GAME FOR BOYS TO PLAY: THE HISTORY OF YOUTH FOOTBALL AND THE ORIGINS OF A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS by Kathleen Bachynski. Copyright © 2019 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. www.uncpress.org
No Game for Boys to Play: The History of Youth Football and the Origins of a Public Health Crisis
by Kathleen Bachynski
“I first learned of Kathleen Bachynski’s history of the debate about youth football as a public health professional. But it has had its greatest impact for me as the parent of a child determined to play American football. The book not only has value as a contribution to the public health literature, but also makes a practical contribution to an important decision that many parents will have to make.”
— Brian C. Castrucci, President and Chief Executive Officer
Image accessed on Amazon on 12/9/2019
Fight Like a Mother: How a Grassroots Movement Took on the Gun Lobby and Why Women Will Change the World
by Shannon Watts
“Shannon Watts was moved to become an advocate after the Sandy Hook shooting. A mother of five and founder of Moms Demand Action, she shares her inspiring story, explains how the power of mothers can raise their voices, and gives practical advice for anyone who wants to start or advance a movement.”
— Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director, Big Cities Health Coalition
Image accessed from Penguin Random House Publishing.
How to Be an Antiracist
by Ibram X. Kendi
“How to Be an Antiracist is a courageous and thought-provoking combination of memoir, social commentary, history, and call to action. I especially appreciate the example Ibram X. Kendi sets by engaging in the kind of continual self-examination we all must undertake if we are to effectively pursue a just and equitable society.”
— Katie Sellers, Vice President for Impact
Image accessed on Amazon on 12/9/2019
A Public Health Guide to Ending the Opioid Epidemic
edited by Jay C. Butler and Michael R. Fraser
“As the opioid crisis continues to grip the U.S., Jay Butler and Mike Fraser remind us that we must look to upstream prevention methods if we are to be successful tackling this complex problem. The authors explain how a public health approach is key to solving the opioid epidemic, pointing to the tools, partnerships, and resources that practitioners can employ in this emergency.”
— Katrina Forrest, National Director of Partnerships, CityHealth
The Practical Playbook II: Building Multisector Partnerships That Work
edited by J. Lloyd Michener, Brian C. Castrucci, Don W. Bradley, Edward L. Hunter, Craig W. Thomas, Catherine Patterson, and Elizabeth Corcoran
“Whether you are brand new to cross-sector collaborations or deeply steeped in building and maintaining partnerships, The Practical Playbook II has something for you. With over 50 chapters contributed by leaders and innovators in the field, the Playbook is a field guide for developing the data, financing, policy, and workforce needed to address social determinants of health.”
— Melissa Monbouquette, Deputy Director, BUILD Health Challenge
Image accessed from APHA Press on 12/9/2019
Racism: Science & Tools for the Public Health Professional
by Chandra L. Ford, Derek M. Griffith, Marino A. Bruce, and Keon L. Gilbert
“I urge everyone to read this powerful and critical book. Racism: Science & Tools for the Public Health Professional is a wake-up call to engrain anti-racism into our lives and our public health work. Weaving history, research, personal experiences, and actionable content, it urges us to confront the legacy of racism and to dismantle systems of oppression.”
— Grace Guerrero-Ramirez, ASPPH Philanthropy Fellow
Image accessed from Oxford University Press.
The Public Health Crisis Survival Guide: Leadership and Management in Trying Times
by Joshua M. Sharfstein
“The next public health crisis is just around the corner — and health officials’ responses can make or break public trust. Sharfstein’s book will give you the skills to respond effectively in trying times.”
— Grace Castillo, Program Associate
Image accessed on Amazon on 12/9/2019
Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health
by Sandro Galea
“With our national fixation on healthcare, Well offers a breath of fresh air in explaining the drivers of health beyond clinical settings. Even the seasoned public health practitioner will enjoy Galea’s thoughtful examination of the factors sabotaging our wellness and longevity.”
— Moriah Robins, Research Associate
Image accessed on Amazon on 12/9/2019
Out in Time: The Public Lives of Gay Men from Stonewall to the Queer Generation
by Perry N. Halkitis
“In his chronicle of three generations of gay men in the U.S., Halkitis explores the social and political forces that have shaped their lives over the past 50 years. These fascinating coming-of-age stories are woven into a beautifully diverse collection of living history.”
— Julia Haskins, Communications Associate
Image accessed on Amazon on 12/9/2019
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
by Brené Brown
“In Braving the Wilderness, researcher and storyteller Brené Brown offers readers the tools to courageously stand in their own truth. Brown shows that when we activate these tools, we tap into a place of deep authenticity. And from this authentic place, we can create the change we want to see in the world.”
— Kris Risley, Managing Director, Workforce
