Includes bibliographical references (pages 670-737) and index.

Introduction -- Understanding health : definitions and perspectives -- A history of public health -- The new public health evolves -- Ethics, politics and ideologies : the invisible hands of public health -- Neo-liberalism, globalisation and health -- Research for a new public health -- Epidemiology and public health -- Survey research methods in public health -- Qualitative research methods -- Planning and evaluation of community-based health promotion -- Changing health and illness profiles in the twenty-first century : global and Australian perspectives -- Patterns of health inequalities in Australia -- The social determinants of health inequity -- Global physical threats to the environment and public health -- Urbanisation, population, communities and environments : global trends -- Healthy economic policies -- Sustainable infrastructures for health, well-being and equity -- Medical and health care service interventions -- Changing behaviour : the limits of behaviourism and some alternatives -- Participation and health promotion -- Community development in health -- Public health advocacy and activism -- Healthy settings, cities, communities and organisations : strategies for the twenty-first century -- Healthy public policy -- Linking the local, national and global.

This fourth edition combines theoretical and practical material to assist the understanding of the social and economic determinants of health. It equips the reader with the skills they need in taking policy action to promote health and reduce global health inequity.