Different people perceive varying images as far as public health is concerned. Moreover, it can imply different ideas depending on the context used. In the United States, there are various public health perceptions. Public health refers to the science of improving and guarding people’s health.
This is achieved through strategies such as research on diseases, enhancing healthy lifestyles, preventing injury, and creating awareness. Public health experts play a great responsibility in assessing how the environment, personal decisions, and genetics influence health. Through the assessment, they are able to come up with strategies for guarding societies, families, and individuals.
Public Health’s Contribution towards Improvement of Quality of Life and Health Status
As a result of public health, individuals can live for longer periods. This is attributed to the fact that public health deals with creating awareness about the strategies that are most effective in preventing diseases. In addition, individuals are advised on appropriate diets, which promote healthy immune systems. When people are aware about prevention of diseases and the significance of nutrients in the body, they are able to take appropriate measures, which lengthens their lives.
Public health also deals with environmental protection. This ensures that air, land, and water pollution are prevented. A clean environment is vital for ensuring that water- borne and air- borne diseases are prevented (Webster, 2001). Consequently, this ensures healthy communities. Public health is extremely important in ensuring safer births. Public health experts advocate for better maternal and health services that entails the care of all age groups.
The vulnerable groups such as children aged less than five years, expectant and lactating mothers, people suffering from chronic diseases, and HIV/ AIDS victims have their health needs cared for comprehensively. As a result, expectant mothers are guaranteed safer births. Children aged less than five years, expectant and lactating mothers are provided with comprehensive health care programs, which reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Historical Phenomena Responsible for Public Health Responses’ Development
A Quarantine refers to a public health policy that was practiced during the fourteenth century. Various quarantine systems were developed as a strategy of isolating merchandise and travellers believed to be coming from infected regions. A majority of the urban authorities operated cordon sanitaire, which had strict regulations. These controls methods were practiced until the nineteenth century.
This was particularly during outbreaks such as cholera, measles, and chicken pox. Moreover, the control methods were aimed at protecting the health of people (Griffiths & Hunter, 1999).
During the 2nd quarter of the 19th century, “state medicine” was used. Through the ‘sanitary idea’, a dominant public health administration would be established to ensure that local authorities provided appropriate street cleaning, sewers, and drains. Moreover, there would be environmental regulation of offensive businesses, nuisances, and housing.
Distinctive and Unique Public Health Features
Public health gives quarantine a significant role as far as disease prevention is concerned. The movement of people and goods can act as a mode of transferring public health dangers.
Therefore, public health ensures keen surveillance. Public health relies heavily on creating and transmitting information on disease prevention. There is a key concern that every person has a great role in safeguarding their health, which promotes a healthy community. Public health considers the eradication of smallpox a great success. Therefore, immunization is a key public health feature (Webster, 2001).
References
Griffiths, S., & Hunter, D. J. (1999). Perspectives in Public Health. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press.
Webster, C. (2001). Caring for health: History and diversity (3rd ed.). Buckingham: Open University Press.