Albert SM, Freedman VA. Public Health and Aging: Maximizing Function and Well-Being. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 2009.

Steven M. Albert, PhD, at University of Pittsburgh, and Vicki A. Freedman, PhD, at University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, have updated and expanded the first edition of Public Health and Aging: Maximizing Function and Well-being considerably with the publication of the new second edition.  Also discussed are population-focused policies and programs. The subject of public health efforts for older people is approached from a variety of directions, including subchapters devoted to:

·         Healthy aging network edition, new for 2009, has a third more pages and four new chapters covering the topics of the aging services network and public health, chronic disease, long-term care, and ethical issues.

·         The growing preventive services emphasis of Medicare.

·         National efforts to reduce falls and make communities elder-friendly.

·         Interventions to support family caregivers.

·         Evidence-based depression management programs.

·         Efforts enhancing long-term care.

Each chapter consists of foundational knowledge on the challenges arising from the interaction between aging and public health interventions. This structure is easy to follow and helps readers learn how to apply the knowledge into the real world. The new edition has the balance of breadth and depth and should appeal to practitioners, academics and students alike. The second edition of Public Health and Aging is a must-read book in the developing field of public health and aging.