New APHA Press book emphasizes advancing equity and justice in public health practice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: APHA Press

Introduced at the American Public Health Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo in Washington, D.C., a new APHA Press book challenges the public health community to reimagine their work as a dynamic social movement rooted in community leadership. Strategic Skills for Public Health Practice: Advancing Equity and Justice explains how powerful systems determine how long and how well we all live and provides strategies practitioners can implement to improve community health. The guide blends traditional public health strategies like research, evaluation and policy with historical context, system analysis, compelling narratives, insights from lived experience and engaging illustrations.

As authors Jamila M. Porter, DrPH, MPH and Aysha Dominguez Pamukcu, JD point out, public health is rooted in social justice. Porter adds, “Any successful efforts to obtain clean water, safe working conditions and dignified housing have been public health wins driven by social justice movements.” Advancing Equity and Justice calls out root causes of health inequities like structural racism, white supremacy and colonialism and what collaboration with communities looks like.

“Collaborating with communities to ensure they lead decisionmaking, and making equity and justice routine by putting it at the center of our organizational planning, budgeting and operations,” says Pamukcu.

This book is part of The Strategic Skills for Public Health Practice series by APHA Press and the de Beaumont Foundation. Each volume focuses on one of nine skills and the series supports members of the workforce in acquiring skills that span public health disciplines and help to leverage strong partnerships across sectors.

“We are excited to launch this new digital platform that allows your organization or students access to all of the materials, updates and new releases in real time. This is a great tool in the ever-changing face of public health,” said APHA Press Deputy Director David Hartogs. You can find more information on the series in the APHA Press bookstore.

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.