What do infectious diseases, budget management, health equity and fundraising have in common? They are all subjects of APHA Press books on public health.

The authors and editors of multiple public health books chatted with readers and signed copies of their books at the APHA Press book signing event on Sunday at APHA 2026. 

Ali S. Khan and Catherine L. Troisi, co-editors of “Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 22nd Edition,” were among those signing books and talking with fans.

The manual has long been an invaluable resource for public health professionals, but Khan ensured prospective readers that the latest edition is the most user-friendly edition to-date.

In addition to updating roughly two-thirds of the chapters to include new information about infectious diseases, the newest edition has been streamlined.

“We’ve been very careful to decrease the size of the book so that it’s the critical chapters that individuals need,” he said. However, all of the chapters are available online, so if you want (the book) physically or if you want it online, we’re ready for you.”

According to Troisi, the latest edition includes information about infectious diseases that people may be hearing about in the news, such as hantavirus, which made headlines in May.

Additionally, the 22nd edition includes a broader array of perspectives from more international authors because infectious diseases know no borders and some of the diseases wreaking havoc internationally are not endemic to the U.S.

Jamila M. Porter, who co-authored, with Aysha Dominguez Pamukcu, “Advancing Equity and Justice,” part of the Strategic Skills for Public Health Practice Series, talked about the importance of including principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in public health work. 

The current federal administration has made an effort to dismiss and disparage the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, including defunding research into the health of traditionally marginalized populations. However, Porter said, explaining the terminology helps increase understanding.

“Equity and justice are at the heart of what we consider fairness to be. If you know what you’re talking about, then you can talk about it in ways that don’t necessarily require you to use words that may be unfairly and wrongly prohibited in your workplace,” she said. “You can talk about equity, and you don’t have to say equity.”

According to Porter, social justice movements — from access to clean water to workers’ rights and civil rights — are rooted in community health. She said she hopes the book will be seen as a call to action for people working in public health to champion diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

The authors and editors of the following APHA Press publications were also present at the book signing event:

•    “Resource Management and Finance”

•    “Fundraising 101: Effective Strategies to Sustain Organizations”

•    “Unlocking the Door to Partnerships With Private Foundations and Corporations”

Photos: Ali S. Khan and attendee; Jamila M. Porter and attendee; Photos by Michele Late, The Nation’s Health.