lecture one principles of P.H and env.health.pdf
- 1. Lecture one the concept of public health Introduction to public health Kabombo BSc P.H
- 2. Health Definition of Health The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as: ”A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This definition encompasses various aspects of health, including: - Physical health: The absence of disease or injury, and the presence of physical functioning and well-being. - Mental health: A state of emotional and psychological well-being, including the ability to cope with stress and adversity. - Social health: The ability to participate in social activities, maintain relationships, and contribute to society.
- 3. Cont’d • Definition of Public Health • The World Health Organization (WHO) defines public health as: • ”The art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.” • Public health focuses on protecting and improving the health of populations, rather than individuals. It involves: • - Health promotion: Encouraging healthy behaviors and lifestyles. • - Disease prevention: Preventing the spread of diseases through vaccination, sanitation, and other measures. • - Health protection: Protecting populations from environmental and occupational hazards. • - Health education: Educating individuals and communities about healthy practices and disease prevention. • Key differences between health and public health: • - Focus: Health focuses on individual well-being, while public health focuses on population-level health. • - Scope: Health encompasses various aspects of individual well-being, while public health involves organized efforts to promote and protect health at the population level.
- 4. Landmarks in the evolution of public health • The evolution of public health has been marked by numerous significant events, discoveries, and milestones. Here are some key landmarks: • Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE – 500 CE) • 1. Sanitation and Hygiene: Ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome recognized the importance of sanitation and hygiene in preventing disease. • 2. Quarantine: The concept of quarantine originated in ancient China, where ships arriving from plague-infected areas were isolated for 40 days. • Middle Ages (500 – 1500 CE) • 1. Black Death: The devastating pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century led to increased awareness of the importance of public health measures. • 2. Development of Quarantine Stations: Cities like Venice and Ragusa established quarantine stations to isolate ships and travelers arriving from infected areas. • Modern Era (1500 – 1900 CE) • 1. Discovery of Microorganisms: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek’s discovery of microorganisms in the 17th century revolutionized our understanding of disease causation. • 2. Vaccination: Edward Jenner’s development of the smallpox vaccine in 1796 marked the beginning of vaccination as a public health tool. • 3. Sanitary Reform: The work of reformers like Edwin Chadwick and Florence Nightingale led to improvements in sanitation, hygiene, and living conditions.
- 5. Cont’d • 20th Century (1900 – 2000 CE) • 1. Development of Antibiotics: The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 and the subsequent development of other antibiotics transformed the treatment of infectious diseases. • 2. World Health Organization (WHO): The establishment of the WHO in 1948 marked a significant milestone in international cooperation on public health issues. • 3. Vaccination Campaigns: Global vaccination campaigns led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and significant reductions in mortality from other vaccine-preventable diseases. • 4. HIV/AIDS Pandemic: The emergence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s highlighted the need for global cooperation, research, and education on infectious diseases. • 21st Century (2000 CE – present) • 1. Global Health Security: The 2003 SARS outbreak and the 2014 Ebola epidemic highlighted the need for strengthened global health security measures. • 2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The adoption of the SDGs in 2015 emphasized the importance of health in achieving sustainable development. • 3. COVID-19 Pandemic: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for global cooperation, rapid response, and investment in public health infrastructure. • These landmarks represent significant milestones in the evolution of public health, highlighting the progress made in understanding disease causation, developing effective interventions, and promoting global cooperation.
- 6. Vision, mission and values of public health • The vision, mission, and values of public health serve as a guiding framework for promoting and protecting the health of populations. Here’s a general outline: • Vision • - Healthy populations: A world where all people have the opportunity to attain their highest possible level of health. • - Health equity: A future where health disparities are eliminated, and all populations have equal access to health resources and services. • - Sustainable health systems: A vision of resilient and adaptable health systems that can respond to emerging challenges and promote overall well-being. • Mission • - Promote health: To promote health and prevent disease through evidence-based practices, education, and community engagement. • - Protect health: To protect populations from health threats, including infectious diseases, environmental hazards, and social determinants of health. • - Improve health systems: To strengthen health systems, improve healthcare access and quality, and reduce health disparities.
- 7. Values • - Social justice: Commitment to promoting health equity and reducing health disparities. • - Community engagement: Collaboration with communities, organizations, and individuals to promote health and well-being. • - Evidence-based practice: Use of scientific evidence and best practices to inform public health decision-making. • - Cultural competence: Respect for diverse cultures, values, and beliefs in public health practice. • - Collaboration: Partnership with other sectors, disciplines, and stakeholders to achieve common health goals. • - Innovation: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and approaches to improve public health practice and outcomes. • These vision, mission, and values statements serve as a foundation for public health practice, guiding efforts to promote and protect the health of populations.
- 8. Core functions of public health • The core functions of public health are the essential activities that public health agencies and organizations undertake to promote and protect the health of populations. Here are the core functions of public health: • Assessment • 1. Monitoring health status: Collecting and analyzing data on the health status of populations. • 2. Identifying health problems: Detecting and investigating health problems, including infectious disease outbreaks. • 3. Analyzing health trends: Examining patterns and trends in health data to inform public health decision-making. • Policy Development • 1. Developing health policies: Creating policies to promote health, prevent disease, and protect populations. • 2. Advocating for health policies: Promoting and supporting policies that benefit public health. • 3. Evaluating health policies: Assessing the effectiveness and impact of health policies.
- 9. Assurance 1. Enforcing health laws and regulations*: Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations related to public health. 2. 2. Providing health services: Delivering essential health services, including immunizations, screenings, and health education. 3. 3. Linking people to health services: Connecting individuals and communities with health services and resources. 4. Core Function Interactions 5. These core functions interact and overlap in various ways: 6. 1. Assessment informs policy development: Health data and analysis inform the development of policies and programs. 7. 2. Policy development guides assurance: Policies and programs guide the delivery of health services and enforcement of health laws and regulations. 8. 3. Assurance supports assessment: Health services and enforcement activities provide data and insights that inform assessment and evaluation. 9. These core functions provide a framework for understanding the essential activities of public health and how they contribute to promoting and protecting the health of populations.
- 10. Essential services of public health • The essential services of public health are the fundamental services that public health agencies and organizations provide to promote and protect the health of populations. Here are the 10 essential services of public health: • 1. Monitor Health Status to Identify Community Health Problems • - Collecting and analyzing data on the health status of populations • - Identifying health problems and priorities • 2. Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems and Health Hazards in the Community • - Investigating disease outbreaks and environmental health hazards • - Identifying causes and risk factors • 3. Inform, Educate, and Empower People About Health Issues • - Providing health education and information to individuals and communities • - Empowering people to take action to improve their health
- 11. Cont’d • 4. Mobilize Community Partnerships to Identify and Solve Health Problems • - Building partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and government agencies • - Collaborating to develop and implement solutions to health problems • 5. Develop Policies and Plans That Support Individual and Community Health Efforts • - Developing policies and plans that promote health and prevent disease • - Supporting individual and community health efforts • 6. Enforce Laws and Regulations That Protect Health and Ensure Safety • - Enforcing laws and regulations related to public health • - Ensuring compliance with health and safety standards • 7. Link People to Needed Personal Health Services and Assure the Provision of Health Care When Otherwise Unavailable • - Connecting individuals with health services and resources • - Ensuring access to healthcare for vulnerable populations • .
- 12. Cont’d • 8. Assure a Competent Public Health and Personal Healthcare Workforce • - Developing and supporting a competent public health workforce • - Ensuring access to trained healthcare professionals • 9. Evaluate Effectiveness, Accessibility, and Quality of Personal and Population- Based Health Services • - Evaluating the effectiveness and quality of health services • - Identifying areas for improvement and optimizing health services • 10. Research for New Insights and Innovative Solutions to Health Problems • - Conducting research to identify new insights and solutions to health problems • - Applying research findings to public health practice • These 10 essential services provide a framework for public health agencies and organizations to promote and protect the health of populations
- 13. Assessing the health of the population • Assessing the health of a population is a crucial step in understanding the health needs and priorities of a community. Here are the key steps involved in assessing the health of a population: • 1. Define the Population • - Identify the population of interest (e.g., geographic area, age group, ethnic group) • - Determine the population size and demographics • 2. Collect and Analyze Data • - Gather data from various sources (e.g., surveys, administrative records, vital statistics) • - Analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and disparities • 3. Identify Health Indicators • - Select relevant health indicators (e.g., mortality rates, disease prevalence, health behaviors) • - Use standardized measures and benchmarks to facilitate comparison • 4. Assess Health Status • - Evaluate the population’s health status using the selected indicators • - Identify areas of strength and weakness
- 14. Cont’d • 5. Identify Health Disparities • - Analyze data to identify disparities in health outcomes and access to care • - Determine the underlying causes of these disparities • 6. Prioritize Health Issues • - Based on the assessment, prioritize health issues that require attention • - Consider the severity, prevalence, and impact of each issue • 7. Develop Recommendations • - Develop evidence-based recommendations to address the prioritized health issues • - Consider the feasibility, effectiveness, and potential impact of each recommendation
- 15. Cont’d • Tools and Methods • - surveys: Conduct surveys to collect self-reported data on health behaviors, outcomes, and access to care. • - Administrative records: Analyze administrative records (e.g., hospital discharge data, vital statistics) to identify trends and patterns. • - Vital statistics: Examine vital statistics (e.g., birth and death rates, marriage and divorce rates) to understand demographic trends. • - Geographic information systems (GIS): Use GIS to analyze spatial patterns and relationships between health outcomes and environmental factors. • Benefits • - Informed decision-making: Assessing the health of a population provides valuable insights to inform decision-making and resource allocation. • - Improved health outcomes: By identifying areas of need and developing targeted interventions, populations can experience improved health outcomes. • - Reduced health disparities: Assessing health disparities and developing strategies to address them can help reduce inequities in health outcomes and access to care.
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