''Political medicine,' as Bezruchka calls it, is about building power to protect public health. The book itself is a great antidote to the particular sociopolitical and historical moment we face in the United States. Bezruchka draws on political and historical events, cross-national comparisons, and relatable everyday experiences - like having a baby or a bout of anxiety - to show us how health is not produced by access to health care or even good behavior, but rather by the social, political, and economic context in which we live. In moments of public health crisis, which we are most certainly in, it helps to go back to the history books and the 'old heads' who have seen it all. Bezruchka's book traces that critical knowledge to ground readers in an understanding of the complex forces that really shape our nation's health - from substance use, to maternal mortality, and overall life expectancy. He walks us through practical steps for collective action, power building, and making a difference with strategies that are contemporary and practical. You leave the book feeling both grounded and empowered to meet the moment.' Megha Ramaswamy, Professor and Chair, Department of Health Systems and Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington.