The most difficult concept for people to grasp is that we cannot escape the health hazard of living in America, no matter what we do. If we value living healthy and longer lives, consider that the oldest old person at any one time is never in the United States. They are almost always in Japan, which is the healthiest country in world. Another challenge is distinguishing health from healthcare. We speak of accessing health, paying for health and getting health, when those phrases relate to healthcare. We access healthcare, pay for healthcare and get healthcare. We should be asking “do you want health or healthcare?” Both, books argue that those living in the U.S. have neither.
Early in the lifespan (first four stages) is key for adult health and longevity.
(from the UNDP 2025 Human Development Report)
Recent writings include:
Bezruchka S. Global Social Determinants of Health: An Overview. In: Ozminkowski RJ, editor. Social Determinants of Health. London: IntechOpen; 2026 Available open source (free) at https://www.intechopen.com/
Bezruchka S. Pathways to health and illness. In: Bryant T, editor. Handbook on the Social Determinants of Health. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar; 2025. p. 35-49. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/handbook-on-the-social-determinants-of-health-9781035302086.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqBu8Qor4Yazmn61n1f0kAS_VsFIxwoz-qKvruHWuJUAJOV758b
Bezruchka S. Early life and the social determinants of health. In: Bryant T, editor. Handbook on the Social Determinants of Health. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar; 2025. p. 93-111. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/handbook-on-the-social-determinants-of-health-9781035302086.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqBu8Qor4Yazmn61n1f0kAS_VsFIxwoz-qKvruHWuJUAJOV758b
Bezruchka S. Trekking, Practicing Medicine and Sharing Knowledge: A Nexus of Personal Perspectives. Europasian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2025;7(10):1-5. Available open source (free) at https://europasianjournals.org/ejms/index.php/ejms/article/view/558
Bezruchka S. The Politics of Inequalities in Health. In: Menhas R, editor. Inequality in Health – Understanding and Overcoming Disparities. London: IntechOpen; 2025.Available open source (free) at https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/1230889#
Murphy M, Anthony CR, Bezruchka S, Payne M. Far From the Road: A Community Health Project in the Himalayas. Oakland, California: Peace Corps Writers; 2025 https://www.farfromtheroad.com/
Many of my writings about population health are at http://depts.washington.edu/eqhlth/pages/resources.html
Including:
Bezruchka S. American Experiences. In: Raphael D, editor. Tackling Health Inequalities: Lessons from International Experiences. Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press; 2012. p. 33-62.
Bezruchka S. The Hurrider I Go the Behinder I Get: The Deteriorating International Ranking of U.S. Health Status. Annual Review of Public Health. 2012;33(1):157-73.
Bezruchka S. Early Life Or Early Death: Support For Child Health Lasts A Lifetime. International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies. 2015;6(2):204-29.
Bezruchka S. Increasing Mortality and Declining Health Status in the USA: Where is Public Health? Harvard Health Policy Review [Internet]. 2018.
Bezruchka S. Epidemiological Approaches to Population Health. In: Bryant T, Raphael D, Rioux MH, editors. Staying alive : critical perspectives on health, illness, and health care. third ed. Toronto: CSPI; 2019. p. 4-37.
Bezruchka’s chapter on teaching at various levels appears in the book: Selwyn, D., Ed. (2022). At the Center of All Possibilities: Transforming Education for Our Children’s Future. New York, Peter Lang.
Newspaper and magazine articles and a more complete list are on this abbreviated CV.