Edited by Lisa M. Sullivan and Sandro Galea
Published by Johns Hopkins University Press April 7, 2026
A comprehensive collection of best practices in public health education.
In an era shaped by the seismic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and politically derived challenges, the second volume of "Teaching Public Health" offers a timely and essential contribution to the evolving field of public health education. Building on the success of its predecessor, editors Lisa M. Sullivan and Sandro Galea convene a distinguished group of educators to examine what it means to teach public health today.
Spanning the foundational and the forward-thinking, this collection addresses core themes such as racial justice, science communication, law, data literacy, advocacy, and systems thinking. It offers practice-informed insights into teaching the craft and values of public health in ways that are relevant, accessible, and effective. Anyone who teaches public health in times of heightened challenge will find practical strategies for guiding students through complex material, fostering community partnerships, and supporting diverse learning needs in hybrid, in-person, and online settings. The volume also explores the changing culture of classrooms-rethinking assessment, reimagining attendance, and redefining academic integrity-as well as the institutional structures that shape how teaching is supported, rewarded, and sustained.
Recognizing the demands placed on both instructors and learners, contributors share approaches to supporting wellness, preventing burnout, and preparing educators across the academic lifecycle. At once a snapshot of where the field stands and a vision for where it can go, "Teaching Public Health, Vol. 2" is an important resource for educators, administrators, and institutions committed to ensuring that public health teaching remains dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to the world it serves.
New volume on public health teaching
'Teaching Public Health, Volume 2' took shape following lessons of the pandemic
Reviews
"Sullivan and Galea 'bring it' with this second volume of 'Teaching Public Health.' For a contemporary understanding of academic public health, this course staple is a masterfully edited must-read.
- Linda Alexander, Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
"In an era when both higher education and public health are under intense scrutiny, the responsibility of preparing the next generation of scholars has never been more critical. … This book offers a rich collection of reflections and innovative approaches that illuminate a bold path forward-advancing a contemporary, relevant, and inclusive vision for public health education…"
- Perry N. Halkitis, author of "Humanizing Public Health: How Disease-Centered Approaches Have Failed Us"
About the authors
Lisa M. Sullivan is a professor of biostatistics and the associate dean for education at Boston University's School of Public Health. She is the author of "Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health."
Sandro Galea is the Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of "Healthier: Fifty Thoughts on the Foundations of Population Health."
