Public Health

What is public health? Public health is "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" (1920, C.E.A. Winslow).[1] It is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community. The focus of public health intervention is to prevent rather than treat a disease through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behaviors. In addition to these activities, in many cases treating a disease may be vital to preventing it in others, such as during an outbreak of an infectious disease. Hand washing, vaccination programs and distribution of condoms are examples of public health measures. The goal of public health is to improve lives through the prevention and treatment of disease. The United Nations' World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."[2] Source - Simplified from Wikipedia

Why it is important?

Attacks everyone irregardless of wealth, education etc. Prevention better than cure. can impact large population. What are some historical/significant events? Black Death/ Great Plaque What are the current situations/issues?

Globally - SARS

Regionally - H1N1, poor sanitation, healthcare facilties in Asia http://csis.org/publication/public-health-south-asia

Locally - Food poisoning @ hawker centres, Dengue fever (http://www.nea.gov.sg/ar06/04BitesBack.html)

What are the current strategies used to address these situations/issues?

public education

What are the successes & limitations/challenges of these strategies? long term effects? not enough money? increase in globalisation - faster spreading of diseases?