Public health graph

This document outlines the history of public health in Europe from the Medieval period to the late 20th century. During the Medieval and Renaissance eras, some laws were introduced but the causes of disease were unknown. As industrialization took hold, rapidly growing cities became overcrowded and polluted, leading to poor living conditions. The recognition of germ theory and working class political empowerment in the late 19th century forced governments to address water, sewage, and housing issues to improve public health, though poverty remained a major challenge. After World War 2, the UK government established the free National Health Service to provide healthcare to all.