Public Health

Public Health

Introduction

·        WHO Definition of Health: A state of complete physical, mental and social well being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity

·        Public Health: 

o   = The art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society

o   = Population health, not the public health system

·        Roles of Public Health:

o   Traditional role: communicable disease control, environmental and occupational health

o   Information: disease and health surveillance

o   Policy: Policy, legislation, goals, priority setting

o   Health Services: planning, evaluation, needs assessment

o   Health promotion/disease prevention: promotion, screening, immunisation

·        Steps in public health:

o   Public health intelligence (monitoring/analysis)

o   Developing policy

o   Delivering services

·        Equity and access:

o   Need = capacity to benefit (but from whose perspective?)

o   Vertical verses horizontal equity (but equity of what – outcomes, access, opportunity)

o   Dimensions of affordability, accessibility, availability, acceptability, accommodation