Comprehensive Public Health and Disease Prevention Concepts

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease

Domains of Health

Physical, spiritual, financial, etc.

Disease

Any impairment of health or abnormal condition; result of damage to cells or tissues (pathology)

Health-Disease Continuum

Ranges from ideal health (complete physical/mental well-being) to severe illness (life-threatening/disabling)

Symptom

Patient complaint (nausea, diarrhea, pain)

Sign

Observable evidence noted by examiner (redness, swelling, etc.)

Syndrome

Collection of signs and symptoms

Gross Examination

Examination with the naked eye

Histologic Examination

Examination with microscope/biopsy

Imaging Techniques

X-rays, ultrasounds, etc.

Lab Tests

Blood, urine, etc.

Acute Disease

Arises rapidly, lasts short time (days-weeks), distinct symptoms

Chronic Disease

Slow onset, long duration (months-years-decades), vague symptoms, hard to prevent/treat

Types of Disease

Infectious, inherited/congenital, neoplastic, immunity-related, degenerative/aging, nutritional, homeostatic, trauma, poisoning, idiopathic

Communicable Disease

Caused by pathogens, transmitted between individuals

Non-Communicable Disease

Caused by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors

Exogenous Agent

Pathogens, toxins (external cause)

Endogenous Agent

Genes, immunity (internal cause)

Etiological Agent

Substance/phenomenon causing disease

Risk Factor

Condition associated with acquiring disease (e.g., smoking → heart/lung disease)

Predisposing Factor

Increases susceptibility (e.g., infants' weak immune systems → infection)

Disease Determinants

Etiological agents, risk factors, physical environment, social environment, biology, behavior

Medicine vs Public Health

Medicine = individual treatment, Public Health = prevention and social sciences

Social Determinants of Health

Education access/quality, economic stability, social/community context, neighborhood environment, healthcare access/quality

Primary Prevention

Prevents disease (address risk factors, genetics, social conditions)

Secondary Prevention

Minimizes severity (screening, early intervention, risk control)

Tertiary Prevention

Minimizes disability (rehab, prevent complications, improve quality of life)

Health Disparity

Differences in disease burden between groups (race, ethnicity, age, sex, SES, etc.); unfair and avoidable

Health Equity

Fair opportunities for all to achieve health; application of social justice to health

Equality vs Equity

Equality = same resources/opportunity; Equity = resources tailored to individual needs

Assessment (Core Function)

Collect/analyze health info; like diagnosing disease

Policy Development (Core Function)

Develop policies/plans for health; like prescribing treatment

Assurance (Core Function)

Ensure equitable access and workforce; like actual treatment

10 Essential Public Health Services

Assess/monitor health, investigate problems, communicate effectively, strengthen partnerships, create policies, enforce laws, assure services, build workforce, evaluate/improve functions, research/innovate

Causes of Health Disparities

Genetics (weak evidence), health behavior, socioeconomic status, psychosocial stress, environment, healthcare access/quality

Healthcare Disparities

Differences in access, use, and quality of healthcare services

Sources of Disparities: Patient

Preferences, refusal, non-compliance, mistrust, literacy, language, biological differences

Sources of Disparities: Provider

Biases, communication, cultural/language barriers, time pressure

Sources of Disparities: System

Lack of services, prevention, resources, financing/regulations

Public Health Providers

Complex system involving federal, state, local government + NGOs, education, employers, businesses, media

Federal vs State Authority

10th Amendment → states responsible for health; federal powers include interstate commerce, taxation

Local Health Departments

Handle day-to-day matters (stats, immunizations, sanitation, inspections, access to care)

State Public Health Role

Licensing, certification, Medicaid, policy authority; funded by state taxes + federal grants

Federal Agencies

HHS oversees; CDC, NIH, FDA primary public health roles

CDC

Established 1946; focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, infectious + chronic disease, injury, environmental health

NIH

Biomedical research; seeks knowledge of living systems to prevent/treat illness; 27 research institutes

FDA

Protects public by regulating drugs, vaccines, devices, food, cosmetics, tobacco; approves products, inspects facilities

EPA

Environmental issues; works with CDC and NIH

USDA

Inspects meat/eggs, oversees food stamps and school lunch

Dept of Education

Health education and school health

WHO

UN agency coordinating international public health issues, epidemics, standards, training

NGOs in Public Health

Examples: American Public Health Association, American Cancer Society, Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, Gates Foundation

Employers in Public Health

Health insurance, workplace wellness, healthier communities

Media in Public Health

Vehicle for health communication, education, promotion; amplified by social media