Key Concepts in Public Health and Epidemiology

Health

• A dynamic state or condition of the human organism that is multidimensional in nature, a resource for living and results from a person's interactions with and adaptations to his or her environment therefore it can exist in varying degrees and is specific to each individual and his or her situation.

• Can mean different things to different people

  
  

Built environment

The design, construction, management, and land use of human made surroundings as an interrelated whole as well as their relationship to human activities overtime.

Community

A collective body of individuals identified by common characteristics, such as geography, interest, experiences, concerns, or values.

Public health

Actions that society takes collectively to ensure that conditions in which people can be healthy.

Public health system

The organizational mechanisms of those activities undertaken within the formal structure of government and the associated efforts of private and voluntary organizations and individuals.

Community health

The health status of a defined group of people and the actions and conditions to promote, protect, and preserve their health.

Population health

The health outcomes of a group of individuals including the distribution of such outcomes within the group.

Global health

Describes health problems, issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries, may be influenced by circumstance or experience in other countries and are best addressed by cooperative actions and solutions.

Community organizing

The process of which community groups are helped to identify common problems or change targets, mobilize resources, and develop and implement strategies for reaching their collective goals.

Herd immunity

The resistance of a population to the spread of an infection agent based on the immunity of a high proportion of individuals.

Spiritual area of health

A time during the middle ages when the idea of communicable diseases linked to spiritual forces.

Modern era of public health

The era of public health that began in 1850 and continues today.

Bacteriological period of public health

The period from 1875 to 1900 during which the causes of many bacterial diseases were discovered.

Health resources development Period

The years of 1900 to 1960, a time of great growth in healthcare facilities and providers.

Reform phase of public health

The years of 1900-1920 characterized by social movements to improve health conditions in cities and in the workplace.

Medicare

Government health insurance for older adults, and those with certain disabilities.

Medicaid

Government health insurance for the poor.

Healthy People 2030

The fifth set of health goals and objectives for the United States that defines the nation's health agenda and guides its health policy.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Primary focus to increase the number of Americans with health insurance.

Bioterrorism

Threatened or intentional release of biological agents for a purpose of influencing, the conduct of government or intimidating or coercing a civilian population to further political or social objectives.

Health disparities

Difference in health among different populations.

Public health preparedness

The capability of the public health and healthcare systems, community and individuals to prevent, protect against, quickly respond to, and recover from health emergencies, particularly those in which scale, timing, or unpredictability threatens to overwhelm routine capabilities.

John Snow's identification of a contaminated water pump

The source of a cholera outbreak in London (1854).

Development of germ theory

By Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch.

Establishment of public health boards

To address sanitation and urban health issues.

Development of vaccines, antibiotics, and public health infrastructure

Key advancements in modern public health during the 20th century.

Key Acts: Medicare and Medicaid

Established in 1965.

Importance of the Healthy People initiative

To set health priorities in the 21st century.

Top down funding

A method of funding in which funds are transmitted from federal or state government to the local level.

Government health

Health agencies that are part of the government structure (Federal, state or local) that are funded primarily by tax dollars.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The most widely recognized international governmental health organization that provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards, provides guidance on important health issues, coordinates and supports international response to health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, and promotes and advocates for better global health.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Goals created by WHO to build on the work accomplished via the millennium development goals.

Superfund legislation

Laws enacted to deal with the cleanup of hazardous substances in the environment.

Core function of public health

Assessment, policy development, and assurance.

Sliding scale

A method used to determine the fee for services based on ability to pay.

Quasi Governmental health organization

Organizations that have some responsibility assigned by the government, but operate more like voluntary agencies.

Voluntary health agencies

Nonprofit organizations created by concerned citizens to deal with a health need not met by governmental health agencies.

Philanthropic foundations

Endowed institutions that donate money for the good of humankind.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in specific populations.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

To enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.

Primary functions of national public health agencies

Monitoring disease spread, coordinating response efforts, and disseminating public health information.

Incidence vs Prevalence

Incidence refers to the total number of new cases, while prevalence refers to the total number of existing cases.

Importance of measuring incidence and prevalence

To understand the rate of new cases and the total disease burden in the community.

Key responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Approving and regulating food, drugs, and medical devices.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The agency primarily responsible for controlling the spread of infectious diseases in the United States.

Non-function of the CDC

Approving pharmaceutical drugs.

Collaboration of national public health agencies with international health organizations

Through policy coordination, joint research initiatives, and resource sharing.

Utilization of data and research by national public health agencies

Utilizing epidemiological studies, surveillance data, and research to inform interventions.

Governmental Health Agencies

Funded by tax dollars and operate at various levels of government (international, national, state, and local).

International Health Agencies

Organizations with official authority to enforce health regulations and implement public health programs.

World Health Organization (WHO)

An international agency focused on global health issues.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Focuses on health in the Americas.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Provides healthcare and nutrition aid to children worldwide.

National Health Agencies

Agencies responsible for public health at the national level.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The primary agency responsible for public health in the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Responsible for disease prevention, health data collection, and emergency response.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Ensures the safety of food, medications, vaccines, and medical devices.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Conducts medical research to improve treatments and disease prevention.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Focuses on mental health and substance abuse prevention.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Provides healthcare to underserved populations.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Regulates environmental health hazards.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Ensures workplace safety and health standards.

State Health Departments

Each U.S. state has its own health department that implements federal health programs.

Local Health Departments

Operate at the city or county level and provide direct health services.

American Red Cross

Provides disaster relief, blood donations, and emergency response.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Funds public health research and technological advancements.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM)

Provides scientific guidance for health policies.

Non-Governmental Health Organizations (NGOs)

Privately funded organizations that address unmet health needs.

Voluntary Health Organizations

Created by citizens to address specific diseases or health issues.

American Cancer Society (ACS)

Funds cancer research and provides support for patients.

American Heart Association (AHA)

Focuses on heart disease prevention and treatment.

March of Dimes

Works to improve maternal and child health.

American Public Health Association (APHA)

Advocates for public health improvements and professional training.

American Medical Association (AMA)

Represents physicians and sets medical practice standards.

American Nurses Association (ANA)

Supports nursing education and research.

Philanthropic Foundations

Provide financial support for health initiatives without the need for fundraising.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Focuses on global health issues, such as vaccines and infectious disease control.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Funds U.S. healthcare policy and community health initiatives.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Invests in child health and early development.

Philanthropic foundations

Do not rely on donations.

Philanthropic foundations

Fund large-scale projects over many years.

Philanthropic foundations

Often support research and long-term health initiatives.

Rotary Club

Works on global polio eradication.

Lions Club International

Provides vision and eye care services.

Faith-Based Organizations

Many churches, mosques, and synagogues offer food pantries, free medical clinics, and mental health counseling.

Workplace wellness programs

Include fitness incentives and smoking cessation.

Health insurance benefits

Provided for employees.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives

Include donations to health research.

Partnerships with NGOs

Aim to improve community health.

Epidemic

An unexpectedly large number of cases of an illness in a particular population.

Outbreak

An event similar to an epidemic, used for a limited geographical area.

Endemic disease

A disease that occurs at an expected level in a population or location.

Epidemiologist

The one who practices epidemiology.

Pandemic

An outbreak of disease over a wide geographical area, such as a continent.

Natural experiment

Naturally occurring circumstances where subsets of the population have different levels of exposure to a supposed causal factor.

Rate

The number of events that occur in a given population in a given period of time.

Natality (birth) rate

The number of live births divided by the total population.

Morbidity (Sickness) Rate

The number of people who are sick divided by the total population at risk.

Mortality (Fatality) Rate

The number of deaths in a population divided by the total population.

Population at risk

Those who are susceptible to a particular disease or condition.