Public Health

Objectives Define public health Identify the core areas that comprise public health Explain the responsibilities of each core area in public health List improvements in populations due to public health Discuss and analyze public health’s ethical principles Explain how public health professionals tracked and identified the AIDS virus Discuss the importance of team work in public health

What is Public Health field of science responsible for improving health and preventing disease in populations (specific communities) Unlike clinical medicine, which focuses on individual health, public health focuses on protecting the health of entire populations. populations can be as small as a neighborhood or as big as an entire town, state, or country

Public health professionals Public Health Professionals examine and investigate health events (any occurrences that affect well being of people) that may occur due to: disease/conditions (acute, chronic, latent, genetic) accidents and injuries mental health conditions personal lifestyle choices environmental exposures

Public Health Professionals promote healthy lifestyles and prevent health-related problems from happening or re-occurring implementing educational programs, developing policies, administering services, and conducting research work at limiting health disparities (equity, quality, and accessibility)

Public Health Core Areas Environmental Health Biostatistics Behavioral Science/Health Education Epidemiology Health Services Administration/Management Maternal And Child Health Nutrition Public Health Laboratory Practice Public Health Policy Global Health (International Health)

Environmental Health concerned with environmental risk factors that can cause disease environmental health areas of concern: air quality food protection radiation protection solid waste management hazardous waste management water quality noise control environmental control of recreational areas housing quality vector control

Biostatistics uses math and science to identify and predict health trends

Behavioral Science / Health Education focuses on healthy-choice behaviors includes community-wide education programs promoting healthy lifestyles to raise disease/injury prevention awareness career concentrations include: mental health, behavioral/lifestyle change, public health education, social research of behavior and health

Epidemiology investigates disease outbreaks participates in fieldwork around the world to determine: causes of diseases/injury risks of specified diseases or injuries which populations are at risk for specific diseases/injuries methods to prevent further health incidents biostatistics are often used in conjunction with epidemiology to predict and track disease trends

Health Services Administration / Management combines business and science in the managing of human and monetary resources needed to deliver effective public health services specializes in planning and organization of policies; responsible for analysis, finance, economics, and marketing of health services

Maternal and Child Health provides information and access to birth control promotes health of pregnant women and unborn child improves public health delivery systems specifically for women and children through advocacy, education, and research

Nutrition field examines how food and nutrients affect wellness and lifestyle of population sponsors healthy eating and exercise awareness educates community about dangers of both obesity and overdieting

Public Health Laboratory Practice laboratory professionals (microbiologists, biochemists, pathologists) who test biological and environmental samples in order to help diagnose prevent, treat, and control diseases in communities ensure safety of public food and water screen for presence of certain diseases within communities respond to public health emergencies (e.g. infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism)

Public Health Policy works to improve the public’s health through legislation at local, state, and federal levels example: seat belt laws

Global (International) Health global public health professionals who address health concerns among different cultures around the world works towards health challenges that transcend national boundaries this international field encompasses virtually all specializations of public health Impact of Public Health Improvement of populations quality of life increase in life expectancy world-wide reduction of infant and child mortality elimination or reduction of many communicable diseases

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Founded by Dr. Joseph Mountin July 1946 Started with less than $10 million and 400 Employees Office in Atlanta, GA Originally set up to combat Malaria Communicable Disease Center CDC History

CDC Today CDC works with states and other partners to provide a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks (including bioterrorism), implement disease prevention strategies, and maintain national health statistics. CDC also guards against international disease transmission, with personnel stationed in more than 25 foreign countries.

CDC Goals CDC is now focusing on becoming a more efficient and impactful agency by focusing on five strategic areas: supporting state and local health departments improving global health implementing measures to decrease leading causes of death strengthening surveillance and epidemiology reforming health policies

World Health Organization When diplomats met to form the United Nations in 1945, one of the things they discussed was setting up a global health organization. WHO’s Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Began as early as 1870 with Quarantine Act (yellow fever) In 1879 a physician was appointed to be in charge of quarantines Several reorganizations and re-namings over the next 95 years 1974 named the Texas Department of Health About $57,000 budget and 2 departments in 1891 As of 1993: 23 Bureaus 50 Divisions Over $476 Million dollar budget In 2003 Texas Department of State Health Services Merged department of: Texas Department of Health Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Texas Health Care Information Council Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse