Abstract

There has never been more awareness of the public health agenda, as policy-makers
stress the importance of 'wellbeing'to the general public. But how can wellbeing be
defined and measured? Should the promotion of wellbeing lie at the heart of all policy
and legislation?
Charting the history and evolution of the public health agenda, this insightful reader argues
the place of wellbeing in local and national strategy. It identifies some of the critical events
that have influenced the development of public health systems, and looks at the challenges
for policy- makers and professionals in the formulation and delivery of effective strategies
for the future.
With contributions from academics and practitioners working within the public, voluntary
and private sectors, the book explores the challenges of defining and promoting wellbeing:

• across the lifespan, from childhood and youth to older age
• through a range of approaches, such as town planning and partnership working
• within a variety of settings, including the workplace, the community and the National
  Health Service.

Grounded with grassroots examples of local strategy in action, From Public Health to
Wellbeing offers fresh insights into the promotion of wellbeing in thetwenty-first century. It is a
valuable resource for students of public health, health promotion, the social sciences and
social policy, as well as for any practitioner supporting health promotion within the
public, private or voluntary sector.
PAUL WALKER Lecturer in the Division of Integrated Health and Social Care, Department of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, UK.
MARIE JOHN Senior Lecturer in the Division of Integrated Health and Social Care, Department of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, UK.