2020

Editors

Gerald McKinley, PhD

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine,
Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health,
Western University,
London, Canada

Mark Speechley, PhD

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health,
Western University
London, Canada

Acknowledgements.

The 2020 Western Public Health Casebook reflects the diversity in, and challenges of public health practice. Each case offers a unique take on a complex public health issue. Our cases go beyond describing the problem; the cases present a narrative around decision makers and stakeholders who are experiencing these challenges firsthand. Readers are encouraged to ‘step into the shoes’ of the protagonist (be they an individual or a group), and think critically about the complexity and nuances inherent in public health practice. There are no right or wrong answers to each case. In fact, we believe it is the best cases that leave you with more questions than answers. We hope these cases make you think about challenges and better yet, allow you the opportunity to brainstorm meaningful solutions to today’s most challenging issues.

We would like to express our gratitude to the following organizations (and the preceptors/supervisors) who supported the training of our students and the development of the cases in this Casebook: Lambton Public Health, ASEAN Institute for Health Development (Mahidol University), Diabetes Alliance Team (Western University), Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Canadian Red Cross, Lawson Health Research Institute (St. Joseph's Health Care), Human Environments Analysis Lab (HEAL, Western University), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Public Health Liaison Unit, Migrant Health Branch), Public Health Agency of Canada, Moyo Health & Community Services, Public Health Ontario, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

The cases that appear in this book are the hard work and dedication of a team we are so proud to be a part of. In particular, thank you to our case authors: you are supporting the pedagogy of public health and providing essential material to help the next generation of public health leaders grow. The final polished look of this book would not be possible without our copy editors and the careful eye of the MPH Program staff. As editors, it is our privilege to provide this book as a tool to further the learning, the thinking, and the progress of helping the world’s population recognize the goals of public health.