Public Health Fundamentals - Week 2 2a (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key public health terms and concepts from the instructor presentation.

Health (Public Health Context)

Health describes whether people or populations are healthy; it is a status or outcome, not just the absence of illness.

Absence of Disease

Traditionally equated with health; expanded in public health to include death, disability, and dissatisfaction as health-related concerns.

Dimensions of Health

Health has multiple dimensions. Traditional: physical, mental, and social; expanded to include intellectual, spiritual, emotional, environmental, occupational, and financial.

World Health Organization (WHO) Definition of Health

A definition dating from the late 1940s that includes health as more than not being sick, emphasizing well-being across several dimensions.

Public Health

The science and art of preventing disease, promoting health, and prolonging life through organized, population-focused activities.

Public Health in America

A steering-committee concept that clarified public health’s core definitions and functions.

Core Functions of Public Health

Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance.

Assessment

Gathering information to determine population health and identify public health problems.

Policy Development

Using assessment information to develop and deploy interventions to address health problems.

Assurance

Ensuring that public health activities are effective, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Essential Public Health Services

A set of 10 activities describing what communities should undertake; aligned with Core Functions; updated in 2020.

Determinants of Health

Factors that influence health; they do not have value in themselves but can increase risk or provide protection.

Categories of Determinants

Biological, Socioeconomic, Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Social determinants (with additional factors like culture, housing, and access to services).

Biological Determinants

Biological factors such as genetics and age that influence health.

Socioeconomic Determinants

Income, education, occupation, and social status that affect health outcomes.

Psychosocial Determinants

Mental state, stress, social support, and related factors impacting health.

Behavioral Determinants

Lifestyle choices and behaviors (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking) that influence health.

Social Determinants

Community and social environment factors, including culture and networks, that affect health.

Equity (Public Health Focus)

Equity is the central aim: creating environments and opportunities so everyone can be healthy.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

The structural and environmental factors (housing, education, income, environment) that shape health outcomes.

Etiology

The study of causes of health problems, including underlying or contributing factors.

Etiological Causes of Death

Root causes of death and disease; includes factors like Microbial Agents and Toxic Agents; emphasizes addressing root causes.

Microbial Agents

Pathogens (bacteria, viruses) that cause infectious diseases (e.g., measles; SARS-CoV-2).

Toxic Agents

Chemical pollutants (e.g., asbestos) that can lead to disease.

Pathological Perspective

Focus on disease outcomes and symptoms (the pathology); often relies on medical care and tertiary prevention.

Primordial Prevention

Population-level actions that prevent emergence of risk factors by addressing foundational determinants (e.g., policy changes, mass education).

Primary Prevention

Targets currently healthy individuals with little/no risk to prevent disease by reducing risk factors.

Secondary Prevention

Targets currently healthy individuals with some risk to prevent disease by removing the risk factors.

Tertiary Prevention

Targets those already sick to prevent progression, improve health outcomes, and reduce mortality; closely linked with healthcare.

Interventions

Actions taken to address public health problems; aim to change environments to enable health.