What is PUBLIC HEALTH?
Public health is defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.” Public health has made a significant impact on the health of populations
Health is determined by a complex interaction between individual characteristics, lifestyles and behaviour, the physical social and economic environment. Therefore, to make a difference in health action is required at all these layers. Public health focuses on upstream factors to make changes that can benefit the health of the population as a whole. The three core areas of public health are Protection, Promotion and Prevention. To enable these core areas to function requires good governance, advocacy, information and having a well-trained and well-supported workforce.
The responsibility of creating a healthy community rests with all sectors of society. Although traditionally, health departments have had a central role in public health, improving the health of a population requires a coordinated effort of many areas of Government, the Private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations and Communities….....all united with the shared goal of improving the health of the public.