Weighted Numerical Score: 92 - 4 Stars!

This is an excellent collection of 38 articles that cover five major areas of maternal-child health (MCH) issues with appropriate references to the health conditions of the general population and with some international comparisons. These are foundations; social welfare; health expenditures and health insurance; health issues; and policy issues. Weaving a formidable mix of facts, figures, legislation and historical events, the authors provide the reader with an in-depth treatment of the subject matter. Examples cover the range from the public health triumphs achieved since 1900, that included a record increase in life expectancy and a record improvement in maternal mortality, to the decline of the U.S.'s international ranking in infant mortality, which has fallen from 11th lowest in 1960 to 27th lowest in 1997, and the record increase in homeless women and their children. Different articles show that despite impressive progress in many areas, more is needed to be done. After reviewing the maternal-child health policies and practices in a manner that shows the relevancy of their background to the unique characteristics of the American political system, culture, demographics, and value system, the book examines the priorities and research implications and challenges facing MCH in the 21st century. It predicts that programmatic priorities will expand and that "the implications of gene research will extend far into the 21st century and will affect health overall and maternal and child health in particular." The illustrations are superb and the short glossary at the end of the book is useful. While I recommend reading every article in this edited book, I particularly advise reading the one titled, "Health Care and Health Care Policy in a Changing World" first. It provides an understanding of the healthcare system through an examination of the society in which the system exists.

This second edition is must reading for leaders and potential leaders in the diverse area of maternal, child and family health, in particular, and in the health field in general. It contains a wealth of data, thoughtful analysis of past experiences, assessment of the present, and the tools to chart future actions.

—Amer M. El-Ahraf, Dr.P.H., REHS
California State University Dominguez Hills
Review for Doody Enterprises

"In clear, well-documented terms, this new edition of Health and Welfare for Families in the 21st Century provides the essentials information that is needed to make informed judgements about how best we can meet the needs of families and children in the 21st century."

—Phillip Lee, MD

Praise for the first edition of Health and Welfare for Families in the 21st Century:

"4 Stars!--This book is the best of the overview books produced by Wallace and her colleagues. It nicely integrates health and welfare policy and is able to present current issues within an historical and analytic framework. Practitioners and academics alike will find it a very handy reference in their efforts to develop and implement programs and policies to meet the needs of women, children, and families in the 21st century."

—Arden Handler, DrPH
University of Illinois at Chicago,
Doody Publishing

"In fact, I had difficulty completing this review in a timely fashion because colleagues continually borrowed the book! This book should be mandatory reading for all students in public health training programs. It should also be read by physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals working in or training for careers in settings in which the poor or disadvantaged receive health care services, regardless of whether they provide general or specialized services. Helen Wallace and her colleagues are to be commended, once again, for a job well done!"

—Russell S. Kirby, PhD, MS, FACE
Milwaukee Clinical Campus
University of Wisconsin Medical School

"The text belongs in graduate classrooms and will be an important reference for health professionals wishing to use the political and policy systems to make changes for the better in services for vulnerable populations of women and children. The extensive bibliographies in most of the chapters, a glossary of important terms, and the index are helpful adjuncts for understanding the content in this text."

—Joyce Beebe Thompson, CNM, DrPH, FAAN, FACNM
Western Michigan University
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health