A Compelling Call to Safeguard Humanity’s Future – Pulse to Planet by K. Srinath Reddy

is proud to announce the release of

Pulse to Planet

The Long Lifeline of Human Health

by K. Srinath Reddy

with Forewords by N.R. Narayana Murthy & Sir Michael Marmot

Releasing on 1 September 2023| Non-Fiction/Health | 264 pp | Rs 599

 

 

A Compelling Call to Safeguard Humanity’s Future!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Human health is determined by the interaction of many factors— biology; beliefs and behaviours; nutrition; social, political, economic, commercial and economic determinants; environmental and ecological factors that determine human health in the context of planetary wellbeing; the capacity and competence of health systems to promote, preserve, protect and restore health; and the support provided by science and technology. All of these are interconnected and influence each other. While they are often discussed in isolation, it is essential that the connection between these complex systems is understood so that a broad societal consensus is built around the actions that are needed to advance human health in all dimensions.

Through Pulse to Planet, leading public health expert K. Srinath Reddy aims to promote this understanding to contribute to building a healthier society for present and future generations.

 

Author K Srinath Reddy says, ‘As a clinician cardiologist and a public health expert, I have long recognised that health has great value for individuals and for society as a whole. Beyond the internal workings of the body, intricate and exquisite as they are, there are many social, economic, environmental, commercial and political determinants which influence health at both individual and societal levels. These often act in concert. Health and nutrition disorders, societal maladies and environmental damage are often viewed in isolation, when only a recognition of their connections can bring about meaningful solutions. Young people of today must be able to identify the main drivers of the dangers to their health, respect the interconnectedness of life and environment, and seek solutions which reflect collective will and global solidarity. Through this book, I have tried to help them do so by providing a unifying perspective which is missing from reductionist debates.’

Swati Chopra, Associate Publisher, HarperCollins India, says, ‘In a post-pandemic world, a book that talks about the deep correlation between human and planetary health makes for essential reading. Pulse to Planet is an urgent call for us to recognise the interconnectedness of existence in which we exist and take concrete action to enable healthfulness beyond the human body. We ignore its radical message at our own peril.’

 

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

 

‘Reddy’s vast erudition shines on every page, in words that are crystal clear, humane and full of wisdom.’

Professor Jeffrey Sachs
Director, Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University
President, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Former Director, Earth Institute

 

‘Mastery of theme combines with that of the written word to give us a book that instructs, engages and delights.’

Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Former Governor, West Bengal
Former High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka

 

‘Pulse to Planet is a thoroughly documented warning and a call to action: the world is in danger, and a comprehensive response is required to confront the threats it is facing. Our response will fall short if we do not understand the complex connections between humans, other species and their shared environment. An enlightened thinker and an elegant writer, Srinath Reddy discusses these connections in a gifted way and makes a compelling case in defence of future generations.’

Professor Julio Frenk
President, University of Miami
Former Dean, Harvard T.H. School of Public Health
Secretary of Health (Minister) of Mexico (2002–06)

 

‘Pulse to Planet is an extremely well-written and articulate book, which is easy to understand, and with a flow that makes it a compelling read.’

Ramadorai
Chairman, Public Health Foundation of India
Former CEO and MD, Tata Consultancy Services

 

‘This is a timely and eye-opening read that not only outlines the threats that face our planet and humanity but one that critically illustrates a clear path forward.’

Baron (Prof.) Peter Piot
Former Director, Handa Professor of Global Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Advisor to the President of the European Commission
Winner of WHO Lifetime Achievement Award for Global Leadership (2023)

 

‘In a nutshell, this is honestly one of the very finest “medical” books I have read. I use inverted commas for “medical” because this book is extremely accessible to non-medical practitioners—even while it is based on the deepest, most erudite medical research. Srinath Reddy is, in my opinion, one of the best medical minds—with years of hands-on experience coupled with continuous research to keep abreast of the latest developments in the fast-changing world of medicine. This is a book for all of us, and I recommend it most strongly. It is a must-read.’

Dr Prannoy Roy
Economist, psephologist and political analyst
Former Executive Chairperson, NDTV

 

‘This book is an important resource for young people and for our work!’

Dr Kumanan Rasanathan
Executive Director, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Srinath Reddy has lived in a multiverse of medicine, public health, sustainable development and public policy. Trained as a cardiologist and epidemiologist, he has been a passionate public health advocate at national and global levels. He was head of cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, before establishing the Public Health Foundation of India to create five Indian Institutes of Public Health. These are building broadband capacity in public health education, research, skill-building, policy development and programme implementation. After serving as the first Bernard Lown Visiting Professor of Global Cardiovascular Health at Harvard, he is presently an Adjunct Professor at Harvard, Emory, Pennsylvania and Sydney universities.

Reddy was President of World Heart Federation and is co-chair of the Health Thematic Group of the UN Sustainable Solutions Network. Author of 570 scientific papers and the book Make Health in India, he is an International Member of the US National Academy of Medicine and has served on several technical committees of the World Health Organization. He chaired the High Level Expert Group on Universal Health Coverage for India’s Planning Commission and advises several Indian states on health policy.

Reddy received the WHO Director General’s Award and Luther Terry Medal of the American Cancer Society for outstanding global leadership in tobacco control, besides the Queen Elizabeth Medal for Health Promotion and several honorary doctorates. The President of India conferred on him the prestigious civilian honour Padma Bhushan in 2005.

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For reviews, excerpts, author interviews and more information, please contact Nandini Tripathi at nandini.tripathi@harpercollins.co.in