For public health professionals, researchers, and students, Hunter (health policy and management, Durham U., UK) et al. evaluate the public health system in England from 1974 to 2009, how its parameters have changed over time, and what the origins of long-term issues are. Using literature, policy documents, and interviews, they consider contemporary challenges and concerns within a historical context, and trace the dominant influence of a medical paradigm on the public health profession and how this has created difficulties for those coming from social or structuralist paradigms. They discuss the influence of definitions of public health and its workforce; the key features and policy developments of the system; issues like policy formation, markets, competition, choice, partnership, and public involvement; and future concerns like climate change, health and well-being, and health inequalities. The book originated in a study of the public health system in England meant to provide background information for a new public health research initiative of the National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation programme. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)