Health through behaviour change

David Jenkins set out to produce an easy-to-read introductory text on behaviour change in support of health promotion, and to a large extent he has succeeded. The style is readable and the text provides a theoretical framework, a clear examination of the epidemiology of common problems, and plenty of practical examples. It steers clear of scientific controversy, as befits a book intended for, among others, "a school teacher, a town council member, a dedicated parent".

The disappointing aspect is what he does not include, given the role of the World Health Organization in such radical rethinking of health strategies as the Declaration of Alma Ata and the Ottowa Charter. The authors of those statements would be disappointed — health promotion is much more than just behaviour change.

Despite the history of Latin American radicalism throughout the 20th century, Professor Jenkins charts a rather safe and conservative course. Tackling "hunger epidemics", he suggests better methods of food storage and handling, the introduction of new crops, cooking classes, and more productive fertilisers. All well and good, but what of the basic problem of landlessness throughout the Americas? Why no mention of people like Paulo Freire, who used basic literacy work to enhance political awareness in precisely the way that this book does not? Jenkins suggests reducing firearms-related injuries by keeping guns locked away, to add "cooling-down" time to the process readying them for use. He never mentions what might seem obvious to everyone outside the United States — limiting ownership of firearms by the citizenry in the first place.

I would recommend this book to the health workers and community members who are its target audience — but with the proviso that they do not read only this book, and that they use it for reference and not as their primary inspiration.

James F P BlackHead of Epidemiology Victorian Infectious Diseases ServiceMelbourne, VIC