This document discusses public health. It defines public health as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals." The core functions of public health programs are listed as providing leadership on critical health matters, shaping research agendas, setting and monitoring norms and standards, articulating ethical and evidence-based policy, and monitoring the health situation. Public health applications in healthcare include assessing current services, identifying interventions, considering resource effects and cost-effectiveness, informing decision-making, and educating the public. Health indicators and determinants are also outlined.

1. Public Health
Prepared by:
Hussein M. A. Al-Tameemi
M.Sc. Community Health Nursing / University of Kufa / College of
Nursing
hessinm.altemimi@uokufa.edu.iq

3. ‫تعالى‬ ‫قال‬:﴿َ‫و‬ ‫ى‬َ‫و‬ْ‫ق‬َّ‫ت‬‫ال‬َ‫و‬ ِِّ‫ر‬ِ‫ب‬ْ‫ل‬‫ا‬ ‫ى‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ ‫وا‬ُ‫ن‬َ‫او‬َ‫ع‬َ‫ت‬َ‫و‬ِ‫م‬ْ‫ث‬ِْ‫اْل‬ ‫ى‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ ‫وا‬ُ‫ن‬َ‫او‬َ‫ع‬َ‫ت‬ َ‫َل‬
ِ‫ان‬َ‫و‬ْ‫د‬ُ‫ع‬ْ‫ل‬‫ا‬َ‫و‬﴾[ .‫المائدة‬ ‫سورة‬:2].

5. Public health in Early history
Public health has early roots in antiquity. E.g.
polluted water and lack of proper waste disposal
spread communicable diseases (theory of
miasma).
1802 caricature Sir Edwin Chadwick

6. Fundamental health related terms:
Health: state of complete physical, mental and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Illness: refers to the subjective sense of feeling unwell that
often motivates a patient to consult a physician.
Sickness: refers to socially and culturally held conceptions of
health conditions.
Disease: implies a focus on pathological processes that may or
may not produce symptoms and that result in a patient’s
illness.

7. Public Health
"the science and art of preventing disease,
prolonging life and promoting human health
through organized efforts and informed choices
of society, organizations, public and private,
communities and individuals."

8. Core functions of public health programs
1.Providing leadership on matters critical to
health
2.Shaping a research agenda
3.Setting norms and standards and promoting
and monitoring their implementation
4.Articulating ethical and evidence-based policy
5.Monitoring the health situation

9. Public Health applications in health care
 Assessing current services (achieved goals).
 Identifying the most appropriate interventions.
 Considering the effect on resources and assessing their cost-
effectiveness.
 Supporting decision making in health care and planning health
services.
 Informing, educating, and empowering people about health
issues.

10. The
determinants
of health
Social and
economic
physical
environment
individual
characteristics
and
behaviours

11. The determinants of health
Income and
social status
Education
Physical
environment
Social support
networks
Genetics
Personal
behaviour and
coping skills
Health
services

12. Health indicators:
1)Mortality indicators.
2)Morbidity indicators.
3)Health status (conditions).
4)Disability indicators.
5)Nutritional indicators.
6)Social and mental health indicators.
7)Health system indicators.

13. Public health programs and
strategies
Public health programs that providing
vaccinations have made progresses in
promoting health, including the eradication
of smallpox, a disease that plagued
humanity for thousands of years.