Air, the Environment and Public Health

An exploration of the changing conceptions of air and health alongside historical developments in public health.

Anthony Kessel (Author)

9780521157735, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 November 2010

258 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.4 cm, 0.42 kg

'Air has always played a role in human interpretation and understanding of health, and we are reminded of this today by disease names such as malaria, and by the presence of scattered high altitude TB sanatariums now converted to other use. Air, the Environment and Public Health explores the interrelationship of air and health from earliest recorded history to the present, as empirical scientific knowledge has gradually replaced former beliefs and misunderstandings. Because of its in-depth exploration of 21st century issues such as environmental ethics and climate change, and its linking of these issues to historical events in England during the preceding 150 years, Anthony Kessel's book is a timely and important read for all students and practitioners of public health, environmental health, medicine, philosophy, and the history of medicine.' Professor David Heymann, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Chairman of the Health Protection Agency

Air, the Environment and Public Health traces the theme of air and health from ancient civilisations onwards. The author explores the changing conceptions of air and health alongside historical developments in public health, and critically examines contemporary problems - conceptual, scientific, philosophical and ethical - in public health theory and practice. The first part surveys air and health in early civilisations, as well as the nineteenth-century debates around miasma and evolution. The second part explores the history of smoke pollution and health. Part three examines philosophical issues around modern air pollution epidemiology, and part four looks at climate change and ethical frameworks in public health. The book is a unique blend of public health science, history of medicine, ethics and philosophy. It will be of interest to those working or studying in public health, environmental health, medicine, history of medicine, environmental philosophy, and medical ethics.

Glossary of terms and abbreviations
Foreword David Greaves and Tony McMichael
Introduction
Part I. Whole Air: 1. Early conceptions of air and health
2. Miasma, contagion, and survival of the fittest
Part II. Polluted Air: 3. As far as is practicable: air pollution policy and public health in England, 1800–1900
4. Hot air but little action: air pollution policy and public health in England, 1900–1939
5. Disaster, reductionism and personal responsibility: air pollution policy and public health, 1939–1970
Part III. Air Pollution, Epidemiology and Public Health: Theoretical and Philosophical Considerations: 6. Measuring the health effects of polluted air: quantitative risk assessment case-study
7. Epidemiological theory and philosophical considerations
8. Public health, philosophy and the nature of evidence
Part IV. New Horizons: 9. Climate change: science and utilitarianism
10. Climate change, social justice, and other moral frameworks
11. The bigger picture: environmental ethics and new moral horizons in public health
12. Conclusions and recommendations
Index.

Subject Areas: Epidemiology & medical statistics [MBNS]