Health Systems And The Challenge Of Communicable Diseases

"This is an excellent book, well-written

and well-documented. The editors have

succeeded to bring together a large

number of knowledgeable authors to

cover comprehensively the vast area

... public health actors dealing

with infectious diseases both

at central and local level, whether in

research, teaching or practice as well as

professionals working in diagnostic and

therapeutic health services, notably in

microbiology and infectious diseases

could greatly benefit from reading the

book. Politicians and lay administrators

with responsibility in the field would be

well advised to do the same."

European Journal of Public Health

Health systems everywhere face constant change as they seek to respond to evolving patterns of disease. This is especially true with communicable diseases where humanity is engaged in a constant evolutionary struggle with micro-organisms that are able to adapt rapidly to a changing world. This problem can be, for example, exemplified recently by the growth of antibiotic resistant infection.

This fascinating book confronts this challenge, looking at two regions where the pace of change is especially rapid, Europe and Latin America - places where health systems, many themselves undergoing rapid organisational transition, must find ways of adapting to an ever changing context.

The book begins with an historical overview, recalling how humans and micro-organisms have always competed, at times with profound historical consequences, before examining the current status of this evolutionary struggle. It assesses the extent to which human societies and their governments are prepared for the challenges ahead and reviews the experiences of countries in Europe and Latin America in developing effective responses.

Health Systems and the Challenge of Communicable Diseases will be of interest to those engaged in the development of health policy in high and middle income countries, and to those who are studying the creation and implementation of health policy.