From the obesity epidemic to antibiotic resistance, firearm injuries, and health disparities, many health issues surface to the public domain in the form of controversies. In this innovative new text, author Jan Kirk Carney engages the reader in understanding public health and health policy through a study of current controversies. Many issues connect public health and health care, an important perspective given the Affordable Care Act and health system changes at the state level. To get to the root of the controversy—and gain insight as to what must be done to advance the health issue—learners must grasp the breadth and scope of the issue and evidence-base for prevention, dissect root causes and barriers, then propose strategies for progress. Controversies in Public Health and Health Policy uses a structured format to carefully examine each controversy, with background, evidence-base, discussion questions, and additional learning resources. Some of the topics covered include the acceptance of obesity as a cultural norm, e-cigarettes, binge drinking on college campuses, prescription drug abuse, antibiotic resistance, gun control, preventing concussions, climate change, and more.

In recent years, advances in biological science and technology have outpaced policymakers' attempts to deal with them. Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences examines the ways in which the federal government uses scientific information in reaching policy decisions, providing case studies of the interactions between science and government on different biomedical, biological, and environmental issues. These case studies document a broad range of complex issues in science policy—from the Human Genome Project to tobacco regulation—and provide an accessible overview of both the science behind the issues and the policy-making process. The cases illustrate the different ways in which science and politics intersect in policy decisions, as well as the different forms policy itself may take—including not only regulatory action but the lack of regulation. Among the topics examined are public and private research funding, as seen in gene patenting; reluctance to regulate even when a product has been proven unhealthy, as in the case of tobacco; a comparison of U.S. and international policy responses to genetically modified organisms; and the competing interests at play in air pollution policy. Each chapter includes shorter side essays on related topics (for example, essays on issues raised by the SARS epidemic accompany the detailed case study of the public health response to the anthrax-laced mail received in the weeks after 9/11). This clear and readable introduction to controversial issues in the biological sciences will be a valuable resource for students of science policy and bioethics and for professionals in industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations who need background on emerging issues in the biological sciences.

Now in its Second Edition, Current Controversies on Family Violence contains thoughtful--often heated--discussions that highlight the most current controversies, research, and policy directions in the family violence area. This volume includes chapters by academic and public policy researchers, therapists, lawyers, victim advocates and educators. Some of the controversies in the First Edition have been deleted while new ones have been added. Chapters in this Second Edition also are shorter and more accessible to readers who are not already experts in family violence.

This unique text engages students in learning about public health and health policy through a study of current controversies. The textbook uses a structured format to examine each controversy, with discussion questions, and additional learning resources. Many issues connect public health and health care, an important perspective given the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health system changes at the state level. To get to the root of the controversy . and gain insight as to what must be done to advance the health issue, learners must grasp the breadth and scope of the issue and evidence-base for prevention, dissect out root causes and barriers, then propose strategies for progress. Some of the topics covered include: the acceptance of obesity as a cultural norm; e-cigarettes; binge drinking on college campuses; prescription drug abuse; antibiotic resistance; gun control; preventing concussions; climate change; and more. -- Publisher.

"This three-volume set examines various approaches to firearms, including constitutional and legal issues, public health and criminal justice concerns, and perspectives on personal safety and self-defense. Recent mass shootings have led to renewed calls for additional legislation at the state and federal levels to address gun access and control. In this hard-hitting compilation, experts delve into various aspects of firearms in America--from gun control and gun rights to militia movements, to school-related shootings, and to the recent trends in gun ownership by women."--Publisher's description

A unique up-to-date treatment of the controversies and issues in personality research and their social implications. Designed as a core or supplemental text for advanced undergraduate or graduate students taking introductory personality courses. Examines the relationship between the individual's behavior and a given situation, the nature-nurture controversy, determinants of aggression, emotions, personality and change, and more.