A Guidebook of Systems Thinking Approach in Public Health

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to systems thinking in public health, offering readers a robust framework for understanding and addressing complex health issues. Through this book, readers will learn how to apply System Dynamics (SD) to model and analyze the interrelationships and feedback loops among various social determinants of health.
The chapters cover essential topics such as causal loop diagrams, stock and flow diagrams, and systems archetypes. Readers will explore practical applications of SD models in both communicable and non-communicable diseases, including the COVID-19 pandemic and cardiovascular disease prevention. Particular attention is given to how these models can be applied in real-world scenarios where traditional intervention studies may not be feasible or ethical. The author, experienced scholars in public health, present an expert analysis of these models, making the content highly accessible and engaging.
Introduction to Systems Thinking in Public Health is directed towards postgraduate students in public health programs but is also highly beneficial for educators, researchers, and policymakers. It serves as a core text for courses on systems thinking or as supplementary reading material. By mastering the concepts presented in this volume, readers will be well-equipped to tackle dynamic public health challenges using a systems approach. Researchers in the field of public health will find this book particularly useful for its comprehensive coverage of SD modeling techniques. It is also an excellent resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of public health issues through a systems perspective.

Nobuo Nishi is Dean and Professor at the Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University. Before joining his current role in 2023, he had a long career as Chief (2009-2023) of the International Center for Nutrition and Information at the National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition. He also worked in different capacities as Assistant Chief (2007-2009) and Section Chief (2004-2009) at the Department of Epidemiology (Hiroshima) of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, as well as Associate Professor at Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine of Iwate Medical University (2002-2004).
He served Japanese Society of Public Health as Editor-in-Chief (2015-2020). He has been appointed a Vice President of Japanese Society of System Dynamics since 2024. His main research interests are on social epidemiology, social ecological model, and system dynamics. He holds a PhD in Social Medicine from Osaka University, an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology from University of Montreal and an MBA from Doshisha Business School.