WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH?

Public health has been defined as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988; WHO). Analyzing the determinants of health of a population and the threats it faces is the basis for public health. The public can be as small as a handful of people or as large as a village or an entire city; in the case of a pandemic it may encompass several continents. The concept of health takes into account physical, psychological, and social well-being. As such, according to the World Health Organization, it is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity and more recently, a resource for everyday living.

IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

• Public Health studies plays a major role in fighting off the biggest killers of humans. Public Health professionals, who have either studied a Public Health degree or Health Studies related course, are constantly battling against diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dementia to maintain the health and well-being of the population.

• A fundamental quality of Public Health is its preventative nature. Prevention is far more effective and far less expensive than cure.

• Public Health is important due to aiding and prolonging life. Through the prevention of health issues, individuals can spend more of their years in good health.

• Public Health helps detect health issues as early as possible and responds appropriately to avoid the development of disease.

• It is diverse and takes into account the health of the whole population, rather than focusing on health at an individual level.

• Public Health is important as it ensures everyone is aware of health hazards through educational programmes, campaigns and through influencing government policies.

• It is important because you are constantly building new skills and expanding as a person. This is due to the nature of the work promoting growth through day to day activities and taking part in major projects and campaigns.

• Public Health is important because you are constantly striving to close the inequality gap between people and encourage equal opportunities for children, all ethnicities and genders.

• Health is a human right and as a Public Health professional you are ensuring no one is disadvantaged regardless of their socio-economic background.

• Public Health is important because you become the voice for individuals who have no voice and simply put, your influence on the improvement of someone’s health can be a great satisfaction.

PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES IN 21st CENTURY

• economic crisis;

• widening inequalities;

• ageing population;

• increasing levels of chronic disease;

• migration and urbanization; and

• environmental damage and climate change.

WHAT DO PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DO?

As a public health professional, you will be trained to perform one or more of these ten essential services:

• Monitor the health status of a community to identify potential problems

• Diagnose and investigate health problems and hazards in the community

• Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues, particularly the undeserved and those at risk

• Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems

• Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts

• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety

• Link people to needed personal health services and ensure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable

• Ensure a competent public health and personal health care workforce

• Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services

• Research new insights and innovative solutions to health problem