All Health Politics Is Local: Community Battles for Medical Care and Environmental Health

Health care is political and involves battles over resource allocation, regulations, and public sentiments. Merlin Chowkwanyun's book "All Health Politics Is Local" explores how racial uprisings, local authorities, community health activists, and a national coal boom shaped health in New York City, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and central Appalachia. It shows that health has always been political and shaped by grassroots community battles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Merlin Chowkwanyun's book takes readers on a journey through four distinct regions - New York City, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and central Appalachia - to explore the complex and often overlooked connections between health and politics. Through a regional lens, Chowkwanyun reveals how racial uprisings in the 1960s led to the creation of new medical infrastructure for marginalized communities, how local authorities battled air pollution that threatened public health, how community health activists and bureaucrats fought over control of facilities long dominated by insular elites, and how a national coal boom impacted community ecology and health.

What emerges from this book is a powerful reminder that health is not just a matter of formal policy but also of the complex interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors. Health outcomes are not determined solely by government actions but also by the power dynamics, cultural norms, and individual experiences that shape communities.

Chowkwanyun's approach is refreshing, as he challenges the notion that health politics can be understood solely through a national or top-down perspective. Instead, he shows how local contexts and community-driven initiatives can have a significant impact on health outcomes. By highlighting the stories of individuals and communities, he demonstrates the importance of grassroots activism, community engagement, and collaboration in shaping health policy and practice.

All Health Politics Is Local is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between health and politics. It offers a valuable perspective on the ways in which health is shaped by a range of factors, from historical events to social movements. It also provides a roadmap for policymakers, community organizers, and individuals seeking to improve health outcomes and promote equity in healthcare.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469667676