The importance of the past in public health.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of history in public health and its relevance to current practice and professional development.


METHODS
An analysis of the issues surrounding the poor attention paid to the history of public health by its current practitioners.


METHODS
The paper is written from the perspective of practitioners in the UK but has wide applicability.


RESULTS
The paper makes the case that the current neglect of public health history is to the detriment of public health practice.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a strong case for more attention to be paid to public health history in professional formation, development, and communication.
Scally
Gabriel
G
Regional Public Health Group, Government Office for the South West, 2 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6ED, UK. gscally.gosw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
Womack
Justine
J
D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom