Public Health Introduction PDF

PUBLIC HEALTH  Is defined as the science and art of preventing diseases, prolonging life, promoting health and efficiencies through organized community effort.  “Public health can be defined as the combination of sciences, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintena...

PUBLIC HEALTH  Is defined as the science and art of preventing diseases, prolonging life, promoting health and efficiencies through organized community effort.  “Public health can be defined as the combination of sciences, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all the people." The Evolution of Public Health Public health evolved through trial and error and with expanding scientific medical knowledge, at times controversial, often stimulated by war and natural disasters. The need for organized health protection grew as part of the development of community life, and in particular, urbanization and social reforms  It emerged from the ancient civilizations that practiced hygiene, sanitation and quarantine for religious and cultural reasons.  It faced new challenges with the global pandemics of the 20th and 21st centuries that required international cooperation and surveillance.  It continues to evolve with the emerging issues of the 21st century such as climate change, bioterrorism, health equity and digital health. 1  MAJOR DISCIPLINES (domains)IN PUBLIC HEALTH Nutrition: is the science of food, the nutrients and other substances therein, their action, interaction and balance in relation to health and disease. Reproductive health: is a state of complete physical, mental and social being not only absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to reproductive system and to its functions and process. Health promotion which is defined as achievement and maintenance of optimum level of health through the following elements: -Health education -Sanitary environment and socio-economic development -Healthy life style including (good nutrition, physical activity and avoid bad health habits like smoking) -Legislation  Environmental Health The basic approach to environmental control is first to identify specific biologic, chemical, social and physical factors that represent hazards to health or well-being and to modify the environment in a manner that protects people from harmful exposures. The principal components of environmental health are water sanitation,waste disposal , etc. Health Education is defined as a combination of learning experiences designed to facilitate voluntary actions conducive to health. It is an essential part of health promotion. Epidemiology is the study of frequency, distribution, and determinants of diseases and other related states or events in specified populations. Health Economics is concerned with the alternative uses of resources in the health services sector and with the efficient utilization of economic resources such as manpower, material and financial resources. Biostatistics is the application of statistics to biological problems; application of statistics especially to medical problems, but its real meaning is broader. Health Service Management is getting people to work harmoniously together and to make efficient use of resources in order to achieve objectives. 2  Ecology: is the study of relationship among living organisms and their environment. It is the science, which deals with the inter-relationships between the various organisms living in an area and their relationship with the physical environment. Human ecology means the study of human groups as influenced by environmental factors, including social and behavioral factors. Research is a conscious action to acquire deeper knowledge or new facts about scientific or technical subjects. It is a systematic investigation towards increasing knowledge. It aims at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories, or laws in the light of new facts or practical application of such new theories or laws. Demography is the study of population, especially with reference to size and density, fertility, mortality, growth, age distribution, migration, and the interaction of all those with social and economic conditions. Key Terms in Public HealthDemography  Epidemiology  Iceberg phenomena  Health Promotion and its elements  Levels of Prevention: 1ry , 2ry and 3ry.  Rehabilitation  Health equity  Epidemiology is the science of the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease among specific populations at a certain place and time.  Iceberg of diseases: - In many health problems: large numbers of cases are undiscovered or misdiagnosed. - Correctly diagnosed cases: in the community represent only the tip of the iceberg. - The real load of illness lies hidden in the community & not clinically apparent. - This phenomenon is illustrated by pyramid of disease. - If not considered, there will be the following risk: - persons with in-apparent or undiagnosed infections may transmit infection to others e.g. TB, Polio, AIDS.. 3  - underestimation leads to inadequate planning of health programs ending in failure.  Health equity: the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Core function of Public health  Core functions that are fundamental to achieving the goals of public health. These are referred to as the essential public health functions (EPHF)  The core functions of public health include: Assessment Policy Development Assurance 1) Assessment Assessment involves the collection and analysis of information regarding health problems. This means that public health professionals work to research health conditions, potential risks, and resources for communities related to health care and prevention. THE 10 ESSENTIALPUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES Assessment: ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #1 Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #2 Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population Tools Of Public Health Assessment: - Birth rates - Fertility Indices - Morbidity indices - Incidence Rate= Number of new events in a specified period (×10 n ) Number of persons exposed to risk during this period - Prevalence rate= 4  Number of people with the disease or condition at a specified time (old+ new cases) Total Number of examined population in the same locality and time - Life expectancy - Mortality Indices : Measure Denominator Numerator 10n Total number of deaths Crude death rate Mid-interval population during a given time 100,000 interval Number of deaths Cause-specific assigned to a specific 100,000 Mid-interval population death rate cause during a given time interval Number of deaths 100 or Proportionate Total number of deaths assigned to a specific 1,000 mortality rate from all causes during cause during a given time the same time interval interval Total No. of cases Number of deaths having the same disease assigned to a specific Case fatality rate in the same year & cause or disease during a 100 locality given time interval - 2) Policy Development - With the information gathered by those assessing public health, policy development can begin. - Policy development involves the process of information sharing, consulting, and citizen participation to decide on public health measures. ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #3 5 Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #4 Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #5 Create, champion, and implement policies, plans, and laws that impact health ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #6 Utilize legal and regulatory actions designed to improve and protect the public’s health 3) Assurance - The third core function of public health is assurance, which involves active pushes to ensure communities are healthy and protected. - Those in public health assurance work to make health services available to people and their communities. - Make sure these health services are of high quality and easily accessible for community members. ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #7 Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #8 Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #9 Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE #10 Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health 6 Applied activities in the field of public health 7 TOP 10 PUBLIC HEALTH TRENDS IN 2023 8