In epidemic city historian of public health james colgrove chronicles the challenges faced by the health department since new york citys mid twentieth century peak in public health provision this insightful volume draws on archival research and oral histories to examine how the provision of public health has adapted to the competing demands of diverse public needs public perceptions and political pressure. By examining the departments successes and failures during the ambitious social programs of the 1960s the fiscal crisis of the 1970s the struggles with poverty and homelessness in the 1980s and 1990s and in the post 9 11 era epidemic city shows how the nyc department of health has defined the role and scope of public health services for the entire nation. Epidemic city the politics of public health in new york ruth horowitz contemporary sociology 2012 41 6 805 806 epidemic city the politics of public health in new york show all authors ruth horowitz ruth horowitz see all articles by this author search google scholar for this author. Download citation epidemic city the politics of public health in new york the first permanent board of health in the united states was created in response to a cholera outbreak in new york . Historian james colgroves intriguing book epidemic city the politics of public health in new york is an inviting read for sociologists indeed colgrove appea