Death,dying,loss,andcaregivingarenotjustmedicalissues,butsocietalones.Palliativecarehasbecomeincreasinglyprofessionalised,focusedaroundsymptomscience.Withthisemphasisonminimizingtheharmsofphysical,psychological,andspiritualstress,therehasbeenalossofhowculturesandcommunitieslookaftertheirdying,withthewidersocialexperienceofdeathoftensidelinedintheprofessionalisationandmedicalisationofcare.However,thepeopleweknowandloveintheplacesweknowandlovemakeupwhatmattersmostforthoseundergoingtheexperiencesofdeath,loss,andcaregiving.Overthelast25yearsthetheory,practice,researchevidencebase,andclinicalapplicationshavedeveloped,generatingwidespreadadoptionoftheprinciplesofpublichealthapproachestopalliativecare.Theessentialprinciplesofprevention,harmreduction,earlyintervention,andhealthandwellbeingpromotioncanbeappliedtotheuniversalexperienceofendoflife,irrespectiveofdiseaseordiagnosis.Compassionatecommunitieshavebecomearoutinepartofthestrategyandservicedevelopmentinpalliativecare,bothwithintheUKandinternationally.TheOxfordTextbookofPublicHealthPalliativeCareprovidesareframingofpalliativecare,bringingtogetherthefullscopeoftheory,practice,andevidenceintoonevolume.Writtenbyinternationalleadersinthefield,itprovidesthefirsttrulycomprehensiveandauthoritativetextbookonthesubjectthatwillhelptofurtherinformdevelopmentsinthisgrowingspecialty.
