Urban Health: A Practical Application for Clinical Based Learning

Reviewed by Jaquetta Reeves, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington on 12/17/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This book on urban health stands out for its comprehensive presentation of essential ideas such as urban health inequalities, clinical techniques, and community-based initiatives. I appreciate how thoroughly and plainly the authors described the distinctions between urban and rural societies. It gave clarity and a clear portrayal of the difference between the two, which is critical for the reader, particularly nursing students, who must be familiar with and knowledgeable about the population they serve, as well as comprehend why the requirements vary. The book also provides a thorough examination of both theoretical underpinnings and practical applications, ensuring that readers have a comprehensive understanding of urban health challenges. It addresses crucial issues such as socioeconomic determinants of health, health disparities, and community-based research. The use of case studies and real-world examples enhances the curriculum, making it more accessible to both students and professionals. While the book addresses many important areas of urban health, and though mental health and chronic illnesses are mentioned, it may have been beneficial to investigate deeper into mental health and chronic disease management, which are prominent in urban populations.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The book accurately presents modern urban health concerns. Data are cited from credible sources, including CDC reports, peer-reviewed studies, and evidence-based frameworks. The author's reliance on current research adds to the book's legitimacy. The statistical data, health indicators, and examples are current and reflect the realities of urban health. However, healthcare is always evolving, and most data will become less relevant in the future, but it is still valuable information to have. For student learning, the book may have included links to where current data can be found or updated. Lastly, the major research findings section discussing "COVID-19 racial disparities in Detroit" provided an updated/recent clear depiction of what "health disparities" look like among Blacks living in urban areas, even now with all of the many resources here in the United States. This section helps put things into perspective as to why this book is relevant and essential to our healthcare studies.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This book is extremely relevant and pertinent to the advancement of nursing, public health, and healthcare education in the present era. Due to the fact that health disparities in densely populated places continue to expand, urban health has become an extremely important issue of concern. The social determinants of health, structural racism, and health equity are all topics that are discussed in this book. These are all problems that are extremely important for health professionals who work in areas that are receiving inadequate medical care. Practitioners who are looking for realistic solutions to address health inequities in urban populations may find the case-based approach and community-based strategies to be particularly relevant. Reinforcement of its relevance for public health professionals, policymakers, and nurse practitioners is provided by the inclusion of content on health policy and advocacy. Learning about the social determinants of health (SDOH) among minorities in urban neighborhoods is important for nursing students because nurses can contribute to reducing inequities by being aware of these SDOH; and striving to ensure that all patients receive high-quality care, regardless of the non-medical elements that influence their health and well-being.

Clarity rating: 5

This textbook is very clearly written. Not only for early-careers in public health and/or medicine, but also for undergraduate students. Using simple language to convey difficult ideas, the author guarantees that topics connected to social justice, community health, and epidemiology will be readily comprehended. Important words are clarified at the start of chapters—which is quite crucial—and visual tools including charts and infographics help to reinforce key ideas. Reflective questions and end-of-chapter exercises help readers to think critically, hence improving clarity. Although the book's clarity is generally good, a glossary of important terminology at the conclusion would be much appreciated.

Consistency rating: 5

Consistency is a major of this textbook. It is very reader-friendly for under- and upper gradaute students. Each chapter is well-structured, starting with learning objectives, a conceptual overview, and key terminology. The next parts give theoretical backdrop, real-world case studies, and reflection exercises, ensuring a consistent flow throughout the book. Concepts like "health equity" and "social determinants of health" are consistently referenced and reviewed throughout the chapters, ensuring coherence. The regular application of a pedagogical method, which includes case studies, discussion prompts, and reflection tasks, improves the learning experience. This consistency allows for a more smooth reading experience for both students and health professionals.

Modularity rating: 5

The textbook is an excellent choice for modular use. It is extremely convenient and helpful that each chapter can be read on its own or in the order that they are presented. Learners are able to engage with individual issues, such as housing instability or access to healthcare, without having to read the full book because of the design and layout of the book. Additionally, because each chapter addresses a different subject matter but has a connected topic of urban health, teachers are able to assign particular chapters based on the learning objectives they have assigned. As a result of its modular design, it is a great resource for public health courses, nursing curriculum, and community health workshops. In accordance with the subject matter of the course, teachers have the option of selecting chapters that focus on advocacy, community-based participatory research (CBPR), or socioeconomic determinants of health due to the modularity of the book.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The layout and design of the book are user-friendly and straightforward, making it simple to explore from the point of view of the user experience. Every chapter is meticulously arranged, with distinct headings, subheadings, and section dividers that serve to direct the reader's attention. The use of infographics, charts, and tables improves readability and provides assistance to individuals who learn best through visual means. The activities, discussion questions, and reflection prompts that are offered at the end of each chapter are organized in a logical manner, which actively encourages student participation. Furthermore, the digital edition of the book may benefit from extra navigation aids, such as hyperlinked chapter headings and an interactive table of contents. The print version of the book is well-structured, and the digital version makes it easier to access and the reader's ability to zoom in on the pages.

Interface rating: 5

NOTE: I am not sure if I already answered this in the previous statement on "organization". But to add to the interface:
The book's presentation is an excellent visual aid. It is more engaging due to the clear, vibrant, and colorful visual aids. The book is well-designed and does not contain any distracting images.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There were no grammar errors noted.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This book is definitely "culturally" relevant and necessary! And one of its most appealing qualities is the cultural sensitivity. The book emphasizes marginalized communities' perspectives and the specific issues that Black, Hispanic, and low-income urban inhabitants face. The author's approach subjects like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status with dignity and empathy, exhibiting an awareness of underprivileged groups' actual realities. The case studies highlight culturally adapted interventions, and readers are invited to think about implicit bias, systemic racism, and culturally appropriate care. The book also emphasizes the need for community engagement, which is crucial in providing equitable health services to various communities.

Comments

Yes. The book "Urban Health: A Practical Application for Clinical-Based Learning" by Drs. McNeill, Stephens, and Walker is a must-read for health professionals, public health educators, and nursing students. With its clear structure, modularity, and real-world applicability, the broad approach, cultural sensitivity, and practical application of concepts make it an important contribution to health education. The book discusses crucial subjects including health equity, social determinants of health, and community-based approaches, all of which are becoming increasingly important in modern healthcare. This textbook is an essential guide for instructors who would like to incorporate "urban health" teaching into their curriculum for nursing or public health students (undergraduate or graduate level) aiming to address health inequities in urban settings.

Reviewed by Shirley Greenway, Associate Professor, Tidewater Community College on 12/27/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book is comprehensive and informative. In addition to a Table of Contents that provides a breakdown of each chapter, a section titled "About the Book" follows the Table of Contents. I found this helpful when considering ways to utilize the book in a Community Health nursing course. By stating the goals of the book, I was able to correlate objectives of the class to the book. The "About the Book" section also includes "key Learning Features" and "Chapter Composition." Both sections helped provide an overview for setting up a class schedule and assignments. Only suggestion might be to add some practice questions at the end of each chapter to reinforce learning of terminology and objectives.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content is relevant and corresponds with other textbooks that I have used. The main goal of discussing provision of health care in urban areas is clearly met. There are no glaring errors and the text is supported by statistical data and research studies from professional sources.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This text is as up-to-date as a book can be. It includes recent (2019 - 2021) research study results and incorporates the impact of Covid-19. It will be easy to update as studies evolve and new information is presented. Any charts or graphs will be easy to replace as research continues.

Clarity rating: 5

The authors did a good job providing definitions for much of the terminology. The definitions for terms like "urban population", "social determinates", and "medically underserved populations" are just three examples of how the authors clearly defined terms. All abbreviations (HPSAs, MUPs, SDOH) are clearly defined.
If I had any suggestion for improving clarity, it would be to change the title to amore descriptive one. At first glance, I did not think this book would be relevant to my practice. After reading it, every chapter was relevant to the Community-based class that I teach.

Consistency rating: 5

This text carries the theme of health care in the Urban setting through every chapter. Each chapter develops a different element related to health care disparities and the underlying causes. It includes examples, research results and practical points for providers who are working in urban settings. By the last chapter, the reader has gained a strong foundation for understanding the urban population and for providing care in this arena.

Modularity rating: 5

The book is easy to read. It is written with well defined chapters broken into manageable paragraphs. The Learning Assignments would be easy to assign, both individually and as groups projects. A student would easily be able to read a section and then reference another textbook and find congruency.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book is organized into 7 chapters, each with Learning Objectives and subunits found in that chapter. Each chapter includes either an Exemplar or Case Study. Learning Activities are provided at the end of every chapter. Additionally, there is a summary a the end of the chapter of what was covered in that chapter. The book is easy to navigate and to locate information. It flows in an orderly manner and incorporates previous concepts into each chapter that follows.

Interface rating: 5

I did not experience any interface errors or problems with navigation. The charts in the text were useful, easy to read and they highlighted pertinent data. The authors clearly spent time choosing relevant charts to insert. The hyperlinks worked well and took the reader to material that expanded on the subject of each chapter. I noted that these hyperlinks would make good activities for Discussion Boards or group projects.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical errors were noted. Proper sentence structure and punctuation were seen throughout the book. I found it easy to read in spite of higher level terminology needed to present the subject.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The text is not culturally insensitive, but just the opposite. It focuses mainly on African American's in Detroit, but is easily transferable to other Urban areas which may have different cultures. Additionally, many of the links include data related to Hispanic and Asian cultures, not just African American. The book addresses providing health care in urban areas to all people, not just African American.

Comments

While I was not drawn in by the title of the book, I will definitely be using the content in a Community-based nursing course. All the information provided is accurate and spot on when it comes to health care disparities and what social, economic, physical and psychosocial elements are at play.