Public Health in Iowa IDPH

Public Health in Iowa Public Health in Iowa 1988 report by the institute of medicine, The Future of Public Health, provides a broad definition of public heath as “what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.”

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Public Health’s mission, according to a 1994 report by the Essential Services Work Group – a committee of public health officials organized by the CDC and HHS – is to: “promote physical and mental health and prevent disease, injury and disability.”

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Public health deals with the health of everyone rather than the health of individuals, but in a broad sense, all health care is part of public health.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa The same 1988 report identifies the core functions of public health as assessment, which is collection and analysis of health data; policy development, which assures that scientific principles are used in public health decision making; and assurance, which guarantees that services necessary to achieve public health goals are provided.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa The 1994 Work Group report also established public health’s fundamental obligations, which are to prevent epidemics and the spread of disease; protect against environmental hazards; respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery; and assure the quality and accessibility of health services.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Becoming still more specific, the report establishes public health’s “ 10 essential services.” Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.

IDPH Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. Public Health in Iowa

IDPH Assure a competent public and personal health care workforce. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based services. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems. Public Health in Iowa

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Unlike Medicaid or similar federal, state or local programs, public health is NOT a collection of programs for the poor. It affects everyone who drinks public drinking water, eats in a restaurant, buys milk, has an elderly relative who needs home care, needs emergency medical services, wants to avoid getting sick from an infectious disease, and is concerned about preparedness for natural or intentional disasters.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa In Iowa, at the state and local levels, public health promotes and protects the health of all Iowans, and the local public health agency is the front line of this promotion and protection. Societies that have poor public health also have high rates of disease, poor health status, and a greater need for medical care.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Public health is basic to society. Public services, such as roads, economic assistance, and record keeping have little meaning for people who don’t have their health.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa For the state and for local communities, public health is an economic issue, because healthy workers are productive and a good public health system attracts business.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Public health is an education issue because healthy children learn.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa An article published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that Americans live 30 years longer than they did 100 years ago, and 25 of those years can be attributed to public health.

IDPH Public Health in Iowa Vaccinations Safer work places Safer and healthier food; Vehicle safety Control of infectious diseases Family planning Advances in treatment and prevention of heart disease and stroke The decrease in tobacco use Better care for mother and babies Fluoridation of drinking water The 10 greatest advances in public health have been

Public Health in Iowa IDPH