Igniting the Power of Community

Igniting the Power of Community: The Role of CBOs and NGOs in Global Public Health introduces readers to the pursuit and potential of community-based organizations and nongovernmental organizations to transform global public health. At a time of unprecedented challenges, economic crises, social inequalities, environmental stressors, emerging health threats, these organizations are initiating and driving change, often being the first to call attention to the issues and increasingly forging significant and sustainable solutions.

Through concrete examples, success stories, and cautionary tales from experienced practitioners, Igniting the Power of Community demonstrates why understanding the roles of the diverse organizations of this sector is vital to anyone concerned with improving health and public health today. This forward-thinking book explains how citizen sector organizations work, their immediate and long term impact on public health, and the key players and business dynamics involved. With an emphasis on innovative approaches, it provides an "insiders view" into practical considerations regarding organizational structure, financing, and operations. A sampling of the coverage:

The new era of social entrepreneurship and philanthropy

Sustainability in international public health NGOs

Front-line perspectives from both well-established and grassroots CBOs

Faith-based organizations and public health

NGOs and the military: evolving relationships in conflict and disaster zones

Understanding the environmental health movement and its impact

Project YEAH: a youth AIDS organizations story.

Whether you are involved in clinical care, health research, public health programs, or policy development and implementation, this book provides key insights and skills, and will serve as an invaluable resource in working most effectively with and within these dynamic organizations.

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"Origins and impacts of health and disease exist in diverse communities throughout the world. Igniting the Power of Community clearly describes the organized response of persons and communities at all levels of society and the challenges they face in reaching their potential to have maximum impact on protecting and preserving the public health. An important book to read."
–James W. Curran, MD, MPH, Dean, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University

"This book is a guide to understanding, working with, and improving nongovernmental and community-based organizations. For those of us interested in improving the health of populations, Igniting the Power of Community should be required reading."
–Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, Dean, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

"This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to become involved in global health, as a student, a professional, a researcher, a community activist, or a policy maker. Igniting the Power of Community is, indeed, a formidable and inspiring force for good." -Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D., President, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies

Dr. Paul A. Gaist is an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), with joint appointments in the Departments of Epidemiology; Health Policy and Management; and Health, Behavior and Society. He is also a health scientist administrator in the Office of AIDS Research in the Office of the Director at the National Institutes of Health. He received both his PhD in behavioral sciences research and health education and his MPH in health policy and management from JHSPH. He also has degrees in psychology and physiology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Gaist's work in health and public health has provided him the opportunity to work and partner with CBOs and NGOs of many different types across a diverse array of health and public health concerns, both in the U.S.and around the world. Among the courses he teaches at JHSPH is a course he designed and started teaching in 2003 titled, "The Roles of CBOs and NGOs in Improving Global Public Health", which serves as the basis for this book.

Previously in his career, he was an intramural researcher at the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH); a program director for the Psychobiology Branch of the NIMH; the Deputy Director for HIV/AIDS for the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Mental Health Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and a senior health advisor/agency representative at the White House National AIDS Program Office.

He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives (Routledge Publishing) and the Journal of Science and Engineering Ethics (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC).