Introduction to Public Health Biology

Introduction to Public Health Biology is a complete introduction to the molecular and biological bases of public health problems, ideal as a core text for this essential public health subject area. The book explores population biology and ecological principles underlying public health and reviews molecular biology in relation to public health biology. The book's focus on specific diseases of viral, bacterial, and environmental origin is targeted to public health students and professionals.

Students learn general principles that govern interactions among susceptible organisms and etiologic agents with specific examples of each type. Special attention is devoted to factors that act in reproduction and development, with emphasis on common elements encountered in these factors, such as origin and dissemination of drugresistance, organization and transmission of virulence determinants, modulation of immune responses, disruption of signal transduction pathways, and perturbation of gene expression. The book also cconsiders the role of the genetic constitution of the host.

Contents:

1.       Public Health Biology: Research, Issues, Definitions

2.       Basic Molecular Techniques Used in Public Health Biology

3.       Cancer (see outline below)

4.       Influenza and Vaccines

5.       HIV-1/AIDS

6.       Malaria

7.       Diarrheal Diseases

8.       Heart Disease

9.       Diabetes/Obesity

10.     Tobacco/COPD

11.     Stroke/Dementia

12.     Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders