Overview

A bold vision for reimagining harmful public policies through prevention. Public policies in the United States are built on certain assumptions: that long-term prison sentences deter crime, that corporate profits benefit everyone, that police are the best way to ensure safety, and that meritocracy ensures equal opportunity. Yet, as public health expert Paul J. Fleming reveals, mountains of evidence show that many of these widely accepted policies cause harm, perpetuate inequities, and even lead to premature death. In Imagine Doing Better, Fleming offers a bold vision for change that's rooted in public health principles of prevention—addressing problems at their root before they occur. Combining rigorous research, historical analysis, and compelling narratives, he examines the deep flaws in policies governing health care, education, justice, and the environment. Fleming unpacks how these systems were built, why harmful assumptions persist, and how they can be reimagined to promote equity, sustainability, and human dignity. Fleming challenges readers to rethink entrenched ideas by exploring thought-provoking questions like ""Are prisons a good investment?"" and ""Is education a ladder or a sieve?"". He highlights how budgets and policies reflect moral choices, and he provides frameworks for advocacy and policymaking grounded in evidence and fairness. Fleming paints a hopeful—yet urgent—picture of what's possible when societies invest in solutions that prioritize human dignity, equity, and sustainability. Accessible and inspiring, Imagine Doing Better offers a hopeful roadmap to a future where all communities have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

Full Product Details

Author:   Paul J. Fleming
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.544kg
ISBN:  

9781421452869

ISBN 10:   1421452863
Pages:   296
Publication Date:   09 December 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Available To Order  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preface: What will our great-great-great-great-great grandchildren say? Imagination: Gaining a New Perspective 1. Possibilities 2. Roots Reflection: The trees we have and the forest we need 3. Better healthcare: Is healthcare like kindergarten or like soybeans? 4. Better environment: Can we thrive in a burning world? 5. Better education: Are schools a ladder or a sieve? 6. Better justice: Are prisons a good investment? 7. Better public safety: What makes us feel safe? 8. Looking Back to Look Forward Action: How to transform an environment 9. Getting to prevention-minded public policy 10. Where we transform, ourselves 11. Where we transform, our communities 12. How we transform 13. What we transform 14. Conclusions: Making a better world possible Epilogue: 2225 Acknowledgments Appendix References

Reviews

Author Information

Paul J. Fleming is an associate professor of public health at the University of Michigan.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions