Public Health 101 Series

Introduction to Public
Health
Roel R. Guinto Jr., RMT, MSMT©
Department of Medical Technology
National University-Manila

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 Course Topics
Introduction to Public Health

1. Public Health Definition and Key Terms

2. History of Public Health
3. A Public Health Approach
4. Core Functions and Essential Services of Public Health
5. Stakeholder Roles in Public Health
6. Determining and Influencing the Public’s Health

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 Learning Objectives
After this course, you will be able to
• describe the purpose of public health
• define key terms used in public health
• identify prominent events in the history of public health
• recognize the core public health functions and services
• describe the role of different stakeholders in the field of public
health
• list some determinants of health
• recognize how individual determinants of health affect population
health

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 Topic 1
Public Health Definition
and Key Terms

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 Public Health Defined

“The science and art of preventing disease,

prolonging life, and promoting health through
the organized efforts and informed choices of
society, organizations, public and private
communities, and individuals.”
—CEA Winslow

Photo: IF Fisher and EL Fisk

Winslow CEA. The untilled field of public health. Mod Med 1920;2:183–91. 5
The Mission of Public Health

“Fulfilling society’s interest in

assuring conditions in which
people can be healthy.”
—Institute of Medicine

“Public health aims to provide

maximum benefit for the largest
number of people.”
—World Health Organization

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 Public Health Key Terms

clinical care: prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation
of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by medical and allied
health professions; also known as health care.

determinant: factor that contributes to the generation of a trait .

epidemic or outbreak: occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness,

specific health-related behavior, or other health-related event clearly in excess of
normal expectancy. Both terms are used interchangeably; however, epidemic usually
refers to a larger geographic distribution of illness or health-related events.

health outcome: result of a medical condition that directly affects the length
or quality of a person’s life.

Stedman TL, ed. Stedman’s medical dictionary. 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2006.
Farlex, Inc. The free dictionary. Huntingdon Valley, PA: Farlex, Inc.; 2014. Available at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/. 7
 Topic 2
The History of Public Health

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 Sanitation and Environmental Health

500 BCE 1840s 1970

Greeks and Romans The Public Health The Environmental

practice community Act of 1848 was Protection Agency
sanitation measures established in the was founded
United Kingdom

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 Pandemics

Influenza Polio HIV

500 million infected Vaccine introduced 34 million living with

worldwide in 1918 in 1955; eradication HIV worldwide; 20%
initiative launched in
1988 decline in new
infections since 2001

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 Preparedness for Disaster Response
Biologic September Hurricane
Warfare 2001 Katrina

Plague used as a Public health Emergency services,

weapon of war during surveillance public health
the Siege of Kaffa conducted after surveillance, and
the 9/11 attacks disease treatment
provided
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 Prevention Through Policy
Book Tobacco
Obesity
of Leviticus Laws

The world’s Laws banning smoking Food labeling and promotion

first written in public places of physical activity
health code

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 Topic 3
A Public Health Approach

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 A Public Health Approach

Risk Factor Intervention

Surveillance Implementation
Identification Evaluation

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Public Health Core Sciences

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 Cholera — A Public Health Approach

Cholera, a fatal intestinal disease,

was rampant during the early
1800s in London, causing death to
tens of thousands of people in the
area. Cholera was commonly
thought to be caused by bad air
from rotting organic matter.

Photo: TJ Kirn, MJ Lafferty, CMP Sandoe, and R Taylor,

Dartmouth Medical School

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 John Snow, Physician

John Snow is best known for his

work tracing the source of the
cholera outbreak and is considered
the father of modern epidemiology.

Photo: London School of Hygiene

and Tropical Medicine

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Epidemiology — What is the Problem?
Cluster of Cholera Cases, London — 1854

Image: The Geographical Journal

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Risk Factor Identification — What Is the Cause?
Cluster of Cholera Cases and Pump Site Locations

Image: The Geographical Journal

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 Intervention Evaluation — What Works?
Through continuous research, Snow understood what
interventions were required to

• stop exposure to the contaminated water supply on a

larger scale, and

• stop exposure to the entire supply of contaminated

water in the area

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Implementation — How Do You Do It?

John Snow’s research convinced the

British government that the source of
cholera was water contaminated with
sewage

Photo: Justin Cormack

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 Topic 4
Core Functions
and Essential Services
of Public Health

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 Three Core Functions of Public Health
Systematically collect, analyze, and
Assessment make available information on healthy
communities

Policy Promote the use of a scientific

Development knowledge base in policy and
decision making

Assurance Ensure provision of services to those

in need

Institute of Medicine. The future of public health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 1988. 23
Ten Essential Public Health Services

1. Monitor Health
2. Diagnose and Investigate
3. Inform, Educate, Empower
4. Mobilize Community Partnership
5. Develop Policies
6. Enforce Laws
7. Link to/Provide Care
8. Assure a Competent Workforce
9. Evaluate
10. Research

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 Core Functions at Government Levels
Policy
Assessment Development Assurance

Federal National tobacco Smoking ban Federal grants

public health on commercial flights for antismoking
surveillance research

State Monitor state Increase

Funding
for campaign through
tobacco use tobacco tax
Proposition 99

Resources to help
Local Report on local County laws smokers quit
tobacco use prohibiting in multiple languages
smoking in bars

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 Topic 5
Stakeholder Roles
in Public Health

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 Partners in the Public Health System
Clinical Care
Community Delivery System

Government Ensuring the Conditions Employers

Public Health for Population Health and Businesses
Infrastructure

Academia The Media

Institute of Medicine. The future of the public's health in the 21st century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2002. 27
 Nongovernmental Organization Examples

Organization Type Example

Professional membership American Public Health Association
organizations
Associations related to a specific American Cancer Society
health concern
Organizations of citizens focused on Americans for Nonsmokers Rights
health concerns
Foundations that support health Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
projects and influence public policy
development

Institute of Medicine. Who will keep the public healthy? Workshop summary. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2003. 28
 Health Care as a Partner in Public Health

Public Health Health Care

Population focus Individual patient focus
Public health ethic Personal service ethic
Prevention or public Diagnosis and treatment emphasis
health emphasis
Joint laboratory Joint laboratory
and field involvement and patient involvement
Clinical sciences peripheral to Clinical sciences essential to
professional training professional training
Public sector basis Private sector basis

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 Other Partners in Public Health
• Vehicle for public discourse
Media • Health education and promotion
• Health communication
• Social media as catalyst
• Employer-sponsored health insurance
Employers programs
and Businesses • Wellness initiatives and benefits
• Healthy workplaces and communities

• City planning
Government
• Education
Agencies • Health in all policies

• Education
• Training
Academia • Research
• Public Service
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