Introduction to Public Health Lecture Notes PDF

Introduction to Public Health Lecture # 3 - Introduction to Public Health Dr. Shaouki Munir MBBS (DU), MGMP (UTS), MPH(UNSW)  Module Contents This module covers the following topics: a)...

Introduction to Public Health Lecture # 3 - Introduction to Public Health Dr. Shaouki Munir MBBS (DU), MGMP (UTS), MPH(UNSW)  Module Contents This module covers the following topics: a) Basic Concept of public health b) History of public health c) Phases / changing concepts of public health d) Functions of public health e) Major public health problems  Public Health Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. The strategy employed by public health is to: Identify and define health problems Identify the determinants, i.e., the factors associated with the problem ("risk factors"; deterrents) Develop & test interventions to control or prevent the problem Assess the effectiveness of interventions History of Public Health Service PHS had its origins in the system of marine hospitals that originated in 1798. In 1871 these were consolidated into the Marine Hospital Service, and shortly afterwards, the position of Surgeon General and the PHSCC was established.  History of Public Health E-book links: https://books.google.com.bd/books?hl=en&lr=&id=hpyeBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=history+of+public+h ealth&ots=bM1Ibb-KAT&sig=H3sG_1sS1fTyt_lfaME5lf4NwxU&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=true https://books.google.com.bd/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Md8eEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=history+of+public+ health&ots=I2QGlqsEOn&sig=hsWt_qmm- Um7qYunfxKzrfcoRVI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=history%20of%20public%20health&f=false https://vimeo.com/432519837 Phases / Changing Concepts of Public Health ❖ Disease control phase (1880-1920) ❖ Health promotional phase (1920-1960) ❖ Social engineering phase (1960-1980) ❖ Health for ALL phase (1981-2000) Disease control phase Public health during the 19th century was primarily a matter of sanitary legislation and sanitary reforms aimed at controlling people’s physical environment. E.g. water supply, sewage disposal etc. These measures were not aimed at the control of any specific disease. However, these measures vastly improved people’s health due to disease and death control. Health promotional phase It includes - 1. Maternal and child health 2. Industrial health services 3. Mental health 4. Rehabilitation services Social engineering phase ❑ Public health entered a new phase in the 1960s, described as the “social-engineering” phase, social and behavioral aspects of disease and health. ❑ Public health moved into the preventive and rehabilitative aspects of chronic diseases and behavioral problems. ❑ In short, although the term “Public Health” is still used, its original meaning has changed. Given the view of its changed meaning and scope, the term “Community Health” has been preferred by some leaders in public health. Social engineering defensive framework Health for All phase ❑ As the centuries have unfolded, the glaring contrasts in the picture of health in developed and developing countries came into a sharper focus, despite advances in medicine. ❑ Most people in developed countries and the elite of developing countries enjoy all the determinants of good health- adequate income, nutrition, education, sanitation, safe drinking water and comprehensive healthcare. ❑ In contrast, only 10 to 20 % of the population in developing countries enjoy ready access to health services. Functions of Public Health  Functions of Public Health Assessment Monitor environmental and health status to identify further and resolve health problems Identify and investigate environmental health problems and health hazards in communities  Functions of Public Health Policy Development Inform, educate, and further empower people about environmental health issues Mobilize community partnerships and actions to identify and solve health problems Develop policies that support individual and community environmental health efforts  Functions of Public Health Assurance Enforce policies that protect environmental health and ensure safety Connect people to needed health services and assure the delivery of these health services when otherwise unavailable Assure a competent environmental health workforce to help communities Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of health services Research and identify innovative solutions to environmental health problems  Top 10 Public Health Challenges Alcohol-related Food safety harms Healthcare- Heart disease and associated infections stroke HIV Motor vehicle injuries Nutrition, physical Prescription drug activity and obesity overdose Teen pregnancy Tobacco use Who is Responsible for Maintaining Public Health?