Public Health Care Professional

— Sir Liam Donaldson speaking on 'Strengthening Public Health'

What is public health?

Public Health refers to the methodical study of and efforts taken towards protecting and improving the health of entire populations, like local neighborhoods, countries, societies, communities, etc. This is usually done through imparting of education, promoting healthy lifestyles, and doing research for diseases and prevention of injury.

Public health professionals also analyze the role of genetics and its effect on health, personal choice and the environment. This knowledge is then used to develop programs that benefit the protection of health of families and communities.

Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or re-occurring through implementing educational programs, developing policies, administering services, regulating health systems and some health professions, and conducting research, in contrast to clinical professionals, such as doctors and nurses, who focus primarily on treating individuals after they become sick or injured. It is also a field that is concerned with limiting health disparities and a large part of public health is the fight for health care equity, quality, and accessibility.

To summarize, public health professional are involved in preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts in the society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals. They do population health analysis and help in making public health care policies. Here the scope of health includes a physical, mental and social well-being and their scope also includes follow up of various cases and promotion of healthy behavior like keeping hygiene, vaccination etc.