Public health, in broad terms, is the health of a group of people rather than an individual. Many organizations are involved in improving public health, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Public Health Defined
Public health in more specific terms is concerned with the health of whole populations, and involves disease prevention, controlling infectious diseases (i.e. COVID-19), preventing injuries, promoting healthy lifestyles, and addressing environmental factors that negatively impact health.
In addition to the large organizations mentioned, countless community organizations, such as Health Service Alliance, work to improve public health. Public health workers range from researchers and medical professionals to public health educators and environmental specialists.
The Importance of Public Health
Public health services help to prevent diseases and injuries, allowing more people to live healthy lives and to thrive. It’s easy to understand the importance of public health in those humanitarian terms, but public health services also prevent overloaded healthcare systems and improve the economy. Healthy people are able to work and be productive, which is the heart of a healthy economy.
Additionally, better health means that healthcare costs for individuals are reduced, therefore people have more money to spend on other necessities. Government spending on unemployment and disability is also reduced by a healthier population.
Functions of Public Health
The public health sector has 10 broad categories of function.
- Monitoring public health issues to determine what actions need to be taken
- Investigating health threats and creating plans to address those threats
- Educating the public about health risks, healthy lifestyle habits, and disease monitoring and prevention
- Creating community partnerships aimed at addressing specific public health issues
- Developing and advocating for policies that address public health issues
- Enforcing regulations intended to protect or improve public health
- Connecting individuals to health resources and providers
- Building a public health care workforce that performs public health services
- Managing the performance of public health services
- Researching new and innovative solutions to public health threats and issues
Public Health Areas of Concern
The public health sector works to address countless areas of concern. The following are just a few of the larger concerns on which the public health sector focuses its efforts.
Environmental Health
Many environmental initiatives aim to remove health threats from the environment such as air and water pollution or contamination, and threats from climate change. The public health sector also addresses food safety, exposure to toxins, and weather-related injuries or diseases.
Obesity and Nutrition
Obesity and poor nutrition are among the largest contributors to disease and long-term health conditions. A host of public health policies address obesity and nutrition, including requirements to disclose the nutritional values of foods, a ban on trans fats, and requiring physical education in schools. Many community organizations are involved in nutritional education, providing access to healthy foods, and maintaining facilities for healthy physical activity.
Gun Violence
Gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in the U.S. This is a complex problem that public health policies and community organizations try to address, but solutions are often controversial. Some regulations regarding guns are in place, and many community organizations are addressing the problem through education and early childhood intervention to get kids involved in healthy activities rather than being exposed to violence in their communities.
Tobacco Use
Around 90% of smokers started smoking before the age of 18, so many anti-tobacco public health initiatives are aimed at teens. Tobacco products cannot be purchased by those under 18, and many are advocating for the age limit to be raised to 21. Many schools have educational programs to prevent tobacco use, and media campaigns by the Truth Initiative also seek to educate youth about the dangers of smoking.
Immunizations
For two centuries, immunizations have been critical to the prevention, control, and even the eradication of diseases. The World Health Organization reports that vaccination campaigns prevent 4 to 5 million deaths annually. Many states have laws requiring students to have certain vaccinations before they can attend school, and federal programs offer financial assistance for vaccinations.
Healthcare Equity and Access
Several public health policies seek to ensure that all people have access to the same quality of healthcare. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is an example of a program that aims to make healthcare insurance available and affordable for everyone, which can lead to more access to healthcare. Other policies seek to improve living environments for everyone, such as laws regarding lead-based paint in affordable housing properties.
Creating healthcare equity programs also involves monitoring health statistics for certain groups to identify inequities and find solutions to eliminate these inequities.
In Closing
Clearly public health initiatives and policies can improve the health and quality of life for individuals, but they are also critical to ensure that communities thrive. Non-profit organizations also play a significant role in improving public health. Health Service Alliance is focused on providing quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Call us today to learn more about how our public health services can benefit you and your family.
