Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: The Concept of public health nursing: Public health nursing: present, past, and future -- Public health systems -- Health policy, politics, and reform -- Health and the global environment -- Evidence-based practice and population health: Frameworks for health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction -- Epidemiology: the science of prevention -- Describing health conditions: understanding and using rates -- Gathering evidence for public health practice -- Implementing nursing practice in community settings: Planning for community change -- Cultural diversity and values -- Community assessment -- Care management, case management, and home healthcare -- Family assessment -- challenges in community and public health nursing: Risk of infectious and communicable diseases -- Emerging infectious diseases -- Violence and abuse -- Substance use -- Underserved populations -- Environmental health -- Community preparedness: disaster and terrorism -- Specialty practice: Community mental health -- School health -- Faith-oriented communities and health ministries in faith communities -- Palliative and end-of-life care -- Occupational health nursing.