2. Session Objectives
-Define public health;
-Outline the factors that affect
the health of a given
community; and
-Outline the core functions of
public health.
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
3. What is Public Health?
•Public health refers to the
health status of a defined
group of people and the
governmental actions and
conditions to promote,
protect and preserve their
health.
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
4. Why “Public Health?”
The government has a unique
responsibility for promoting and
protecting the health of the
people, built on a constitutional,
theoretical, and practical
foundation.”
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
5. Community Health
•Community health refers to the
health status of a defined group
of people and the actions and
conditions both private and
public (governmental) to
promote, protect and preserve
their health.
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
6. Community versus
Population
• The WHO defines COMMUNITY as “a group of
people, often living in a defined geographical
area, who share a common culture, values, and
norms, are arranged in a social structure
according to relationships they have developed
over a period of time.
• Members of a community gain their personal
and social identity by sharing common beliefs,
values and norms.
• They exhibit some awareness of their identity
as a group, and share common needs and a
commitment to meeting them.
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
7. Community versus
Population
• Population refers to people who are not organized and have
no identity as a group or locality.
• For instance:
• Men under fifty,
• Adolescents,
• Prisoners
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
8. Why “Community Health?”
• Community based practice
•The community or community
segment is the client.
•Collaboration
•Looking at the big pictures and
identifying contributing factors
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
9. Determinants of Health
(Ecological Framework)
• ✦ Health is determined by:
• Biology/behavior/lifestyle, as well as
• Physical, cultural & social environment,
• Policies and politics (that affect our
personal choices and society’s decisions
about the distribution of resources and
opportunities)
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
10. Factors that Affect the Health
of a Community
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
15. Core Activities of Public Health
1. Preventing epidemics;
2. Protecting the environment,
workplace, food and water;
3. Promoting healthy behavior;
4. Monitoring the health status of
the population;
5. Mobilizing community action;
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
16. Core Activities of Public Health
6. Responding to disasters;
7. Assuring the quality, accessibility, and accountability of
medical care;
8. Reaching out to link high risk and hard to reach people in
medical services;
9. Researching to develop new insights and innovative
solutions; and
10. Leading the development of sound health policy and
planning.
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
18. Disciplines of Public Health
• 1. Epidemiology and Biostatistics:
• Basis of assessment function (through collection and
analysis of information);
2. Environmental health, social and
behavioral sciences:
Basis for assessment as well as policy development
(through understanding of causes of health
problems);
3. Health policy and management
Basis of assurance function (through understanding
of the medical care system).
10/24/2023
Introduction
to
Public
Health
