Rimer co-edits fourth edition of model public health textbook

Photograph, Dean Barbara K. Rimer

The University of North Carolina School of Public Health has announced the Aug. 18 publication of the fourth edition of the classic public health text, Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research and Practice (Josey-Bass/Wiley, 2008), co-edited by Barbara K. Rimer, DrPH, dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor at the School.

The collaborative effort by researchers and faculty from the top schools of public health was first published in 1990.

Co-editors of the new edition include lead author, Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH, professor of behavioral sciences and health education and director of the Emory Prevention Research Center at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and K. “Vish” Viswanath, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Society, Human Development and Health at the Harvard School of Public Health and faculty member and core leader at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of health behavior theories and includes up-to-date information on theory, research and practice, as well as new content on current and emerging theories of health communication. Among the topics addressed are e-health, culturally diverse communities, health promotion, the impact of stress, the importance of networks and community, social marketing, and evaluation.

A number of faculty and alumni from the School’s Department of Health Behavior and Health Education contributed chapters to the book, including Rimer and:

• Dr. Susan Blalock, alumna, adjunct lecturer, associate professor at UNC School of Pharmacy, and co-author, “The Precaution Adoption Process Model”
• Dr. Noel T. Brewer, assistant professor, lead author, “Perspectives on Health Behavior Theories that Focus on Individuals”
• Dr. Edwin B. Fisher, professor and chair, co-author, “Ecological Models of Health Behavior”
• Dr. Laura Linnan, associate professor, co-author, “Evaluation of Theory-Based Interventions”
• Dr. Celette Sugg Skinner, alumna and adjunct associate professor, co-author, “The Health Belief Model”

“We have a great team of authors and worked hard to make a strong book even better,” co-editor Rimer says. “I’m especially pleased that we strengthened the book’s global content.”

Prior editions of Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research and Practice have sold more than 80,000 copies, including in Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia and Latin America, and have been translated into Japanese, Korean and Portugese.

Instructors may request a review copy at
http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0787996149.html.

School of Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu.