Biographical Lexicon of Public Health

Writing a Biographical Lexicon of Public Health is not easy. Public health has its own unique history and comes through antiquity to our modern society. From ensuring clean and safe environmental and living conditions and the control of infectious diseases, to addressing the causes of non-communicable diseases, through health promotion and addressing the wider determinants of health, public health has sought to tackle health threats over the decades and centuries. In today’s World, public health is high on the political agenda, at local, national and international levels and progress is only possible through inter-sectorial cooperation. Public Health could not be successful itself without public health professionals. Th e most infl uential scientists in this fi eld have played a huge role in the development of public health. Oft en their names and contributions are forgotten with the passage of time. Th e creation of a Biographical Lexicon of Public Health is one way in which we can try to prevent their contributions being lost, ensuring that there is recognition amongst their peers and the public more generally. Th is book is here to honor many of our public health scientists for their contributions, not only on national level but also at regional and international levels. Th e Lexicon is a mirror for this generation of scientists and all of the generations that have gone before, describing their roles and contributions in diff erent areas of public health. Prof Masic in his Preface clarifi es the meaning of the terms Lexicon and bibliography and the concept of Social medicine in the former Yugoslavia and Europe, setting the strategic scene for the Biographical Lexicon of Public Health. Th e Lexicon can be seen as milestone in the history of Public health being among the fi rst bibliographic books in the area of public health. Th e contributions to the book are from across the globe, allowing the reader and public health professional to connect with scientists from Africa, Asia, Europe, the USA and beyond. Th e reader can hear of the successful stories of Public health on an international scale, providing inspiration whatever stage the reader is at in their career and wherever they are practicing. Prof Izet Masic is a prolifi c communicator and advocate for Public health. His extensive knowledge of his subject, expressed in his many books, articles, essays and reports, in addition to his active participation in scientifi c societies, international projects and gatherings. Over the 15 years prof Masic very successfully edited internationally recognized public health journal “Materia Socio-Medica”, indexed and abstracted in more than 20 databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, EBSCO, HINARI, etc. It means that Prof Masic is ideally placed to create this Lexicon. But beside these opportunities, his positive energy, spirit and passion for public health has ensured that this book is so comprehensive. Many will say, as usual, “congratulations” to Prof Masic, perhaps a few will say “OK, it is a good book but not enough”, I think that Prof Masic has established a milestone in Public health which few others could do. Th e Lexicon helps us answer the question “I know what I need to do but from where and when I can start?”, giving a direction, saving time and helping us fi nish the job. In giving us a place to start from, Prof Masic, is our public health Columbus, everyone should follow his success in being a pioneer on the Biographical Lexicon of Public Health.