Before the Next Crisis: Untold Stories of Public Health and Why They Matter
by Tista S. Ghosh
Rating: 3/5 stars

This book shares real stories from everyday people who faced the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The author, a doctor and public health expert, uses these stories to show the struggles and challenges during the crisis. It gives a human side to public health and highlights important lessons about how to prepare better for future outbreaks.

What’s good:
Personal stories make the pandemic feel relatable and real
Explains some big issues like healthcare problems and why people lost trust
Encourages learning from past mistakes to improve public health

What could be better:
Some parts feel too broad and don’t go deep enough into details
Focuses mostly on the U.S., so readers outside America might find it less relevant

Overall, it’s an interesting read that helps understand the pandemic from a human perspective, but it’s not very detailed or wide-ranging. Good for those wanting a simple introduction to public health challenges during COVID-19.

4.5 stars

An engaging look at public health in the US, especially how it differs from health care, from education and qualifications of epidemiologists and others working in the field, and how public health works to improve health and prevent disease at the community level. Using stories from a variety of people across the country from the Covid 19 pandemic including doctors, nurses, business owners, and elected officials, Ghosh identifies what worked and what didn't, and how we can prepare for the next crisis. Examining the intersections of regional, political, and community challenges, there are stories of truly extraordinary work done by public health professionals as well as the times when their messaging and other efforts led to more confusion and frustration among the public.
Readers also get to see how the tension and division magnified by the pandemic impacted the public health workers, who dealt with online harassment as well as in-person protesters, stalkers, and bomb threats while working 7 days a week for almost 2 years, only to see elected officials reduce their ability to do their jobs through cuts in funding and removal of authority.
Written in an approachable way that doesn't require an advanced degree but respects the reader's intelligence, it is accessible to members of the public as well as those in leadership positions in their business, government, or community.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone is concerned about the health of our communities, as well as those who are ready to start rebuilding and preparing for the next crisis. Because there is always another crisis.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

Dr. Tista Ghosh’s Before the Next Crisis is not your typical public health policy book. While grounded in data and systems thinking, what makes this work truly compelling is its heart, delivered through vivid, easily readable interviews and first-person stories from a wide range of professionals on the public health frontlines. From local health officers and epidemiologists to police officers and business professionals, these voices bring the book to life and give it both urgency and authenticity.

Rather than lecturing, Ghosh invites readers into candid conversations that reveal how fractured and underfunded our public health infrastructure truly is—and how that affects real people. The narrative flows like a documentary in print, making complex topics like emergency preparedness, equity, and policy reform accessible without watering them down.

The stories aren’t just informative—they’re memorable. Whether a public health nurse explains supply chain breakdowns or a local official shares how communication gaps left their community vulnerable, the book’s anecdotal richness builds a powerful emotional case for proactive investment in public health.

What sets this book apart is its narrative-driven approach. Ghosh blends expert insight with the lived experience of those working behind the scenes, creating a blueprint for change that feels both human and actionable.

Bottom Line:
More than a roadmap, Before the Next Crisis is a call to listen— really listen—to the people holding our fragile systems together. Through storytelling and accessible interviews, Ghosh offers a clear, urgent case for strengthening public health before it’s too late.

This is an important book. The pandemic was a global event we all need to learn from and hearing first-hand stories, and more importantly, how we can do things differently and be more prepared next time is critical. Having lived through it, many of the stories were familiar, but will be more important historically further down the line. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher. I'm glad to have had the chance to read and offer an honest review.

I loved this book, especially the different perspectives of people from healthcare, business, education and other areas. The stories are compelling and the narratives added by Dr. Ghosh are excellent. Dr. Ghosh’s insights were valuable and I loved the key takeaways. I thought the recommendations were outstanding. Overall this is a great book that I hope will be widely read. Thank you to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for the advance reader copy.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a free copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.


This book is quite well researched but the formatting of the book really makes it difficult for the reader to get a better experience .