Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 1 of 18 Objectives Summarize the main goal of public health programs today. Describe how the United States’ public health system is organized. Section 24.3 Public Health

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 2 of 18 Myth Public health officials only deal with natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks that threaten large populations. Fact Many public health efforts focus on preventing disease and injury in daily life, not just when catastrophes strike. Why do you think prevention is a major focus in the field of public health?

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 3 of 18 Public health is the study and practice of protecting and improving the health of people in a group or community. What Is Public Health The public health system includes all the government and private organizations that work with the public to prevent disease and promote positive health behaviors.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 4 of 18 The ancient Hebrews established rules for the sanitary preparation of foods. The History of Public Health The ancient Romans built efficient systems to supply people with clean water and to remove wastes. In Europe during the Middle Ages, epidemics swept across Africa, Asia and Europe. Quarantine (KWAWR un teen) is a period of isolation imposed on people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 5 of 18 During the latter half of the 1800s, scientists began to understand that microorganisms cause many diseases. New Understandings Starting in the early 1900s, vaccines against a variety of serious diseases became available. Epidemiology (ep ih dee mee AHL uh jee) is the study of disease among populations.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 6 of 18 Public health programs today emphasize the need for prevention in order to avoid disease and other health problems. Public Health Goals Today Many public health problems today relate to people’s behaviors. The Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, is the major public health agency in the United States. HHS developed an important public health document, Healthy People 2010, that identifies prevention as the key to improving the health of all Americans.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 7 of 18 Fighting Chronic Diseases Today, many public health programs emphasize the importance of behaviors such as regular exercise and proper nutrition to reduce people’s risks of many chronic diseases. Public Health in the United States Helping Populations at Risk One of the greatest challenges in public health is to provide services to high-risk populations. Safety and Environmental Health Many public health regulations focus on safety issues in all areas of society. In the United States, public health is primarily a governmental responsibility that is managed at the federal, state, and local levels.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 8 of 18 Click above to go online. For: More on public health

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 9 of 18 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides many services, including: The Federal Government sponsoring health research and education compiling and analyzing health information The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are particularly important research agencies that are reliable sources of health information. setting health and safety standards supporting state and local health departments funding programs for people in need of public health services

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Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 13 of 18 The federal government depends on the states to carry out programs to meet its public health objectives. State Government inspect healthcare and food-handling facilities test water, food, and medical samples State health departments compile health statistics monitor pollution levels

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 14 of 18 In most states, public health services are provided directly by local health departments. Local Government Local health departments are responsible for enforcing state health codes. Health codes are standards established by the state for certain factors that affect health, such as water quality, sanitation in restaurants, and sewage treatment facilities. Local health departments also collect vital statistics —the numbers of births and deaths and the numbers and kinds of diseases that occur within a population.

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Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 16 of 18 Many private organizations play important roles in providing public health services. Private Organizations A number of national organizations raise funds to support specific health causes. You may be familiar with organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and March of Dimes. Funds raised by these and other organizations pay for medical research, health services, and educational programs.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 17 of 18 Vocabulary public healthThe study and practice of protecting and improving the health of people in a group or community. quarantineA period of isolation imposed on people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease. epidemiologyThe study of disease among populations. health codeA state standard for factors that affect public health. vital statisticsThe numbers of births and deaths and the numbers and kinds of diseases that occur within a population.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 18 of 18 QuickTake Quiz Click to start quiz.

Section 24.3 Public Health Slide 19 of 18 End of Section 24.3 Click on this slide to end this presentation.