Public Health Prevention and the Pharmacist / Emergency Preparedness

Flashcards covering key definitions and concepts related to public health, the role of pharmacists, key theories, and emergency preparedness based on the lecture notes.

Public Health (Winslow, 1923)

Defined as preventing disease, prolonging life, promoting health through environmental efforts, controlling communicable diseases, advocating health education, organizing medical and nursing services for early diagnosis and preventive treatment, and ensuring health as a right of every citizen.

Public Health (Modern Definition)

Promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play, focusing on preventing illness rather than treating the ill.

Individual Health Focus

Centers on the health of a single person, typically involving one-on-one care and personalized treatment plans.

Public Health Focus

Centers on the health of populations as a whole, from local communities to global scales, using population-based interventions.

Public Health Professional

An individual who works to protect and improve the health of populations, communities, and individuals by implementing strategies aimed at disease prevention, health promotion, and health protection.

A Public Health Approach

A four-step process involving Surveillance (What is the problem?), Risk Factor Identification (What is the cause?), Intervention Evaluation (What works?), and Implementation (How do you do it?).

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.

Health Belief Model

An individual-level theory stating behavior depends on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy.

Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior

An individual-level theory stating behavior is driven by intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control (Intention Behavior).

Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

Assesses an individual's readiness for behavior change through stages: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance.

Precontemplation

A stage in the Transtheoretical Model where there is no intention to change behavior and the individual is unaware of the problem.

Contemplation

A stage in the Transtheoretical Model where the individual is aware of the problem and thinking about making a change.

Preparation

A stage in the Transtheoretical Model where the individual is ready to take action and planning steps for change.

Action

A stage in the Transtheoretical Model where the individual is actively making changes to behaviors or lifestyle.

Maintenance

A stage in the Transtheoretical Model where the individual is sustaining long-term behavior change and preventing relapse.

Social Cognitive Theory

An interpersonal-level theory stating behavior is influenced by personal factors, environmental factors, and behavior itself, with key roles for observational learning, self-efficacy, and reinforcement.

Self-efficacy

Refers to one's confidence in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Diffusion of Innovations Theory

A community/society level theory explaining how new ideas, behaviors, or technologies spread through populations (innovators early adopters majority laggards).

Ecological Model (Social Ecological Framework)

A community/society level theory stating health behavior is shaped by multiple levels: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy.

Surveillance (Public Health)

The systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data to identify common health concerns and understand patterns of risk factors in populations.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a specific disease occurring in a population during a certain period.

Prevalence

The total number of cases in a population who have a specific disease during a defined time period.

Ten Essential Services of Public Health

A set of core public health functions, including monitoring health, diagnosing and investigating problems, informing/educating, mobilizing partnerships, developing policies, enforcing laws, linking to services, assuring workforce, evaluating services, and conducting research.

Pharmacist's Role as Public Health Advocate

Utilizing their accessibility and presence in diverse public settings to provide public health services, filling voids in access to care and prevention.

Medication Adherence (Public Health)

Focuses on improving patients' consistent use of prescribed medications through personalized patient education, support, tailoring programs, simplifying regimens, and long-term monitoring.

Pharmacovigilance

The detection, assessment, and prevention of adverse effects of pharmaceutical products within public health practice, often using large databases to detect adverse drug reactions early.

Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)

A statewide database that collects and monitors outpatient prescription data for controlled substances to prevent misuse, diversion, and overdose (also known as PDMP, Rx AWARE, or PMP AWARxE in other states).

Opioid Crisis

A public health emergency characterized by high rates of opioid misuse, substance use disorder, and overdose deaths, requiring concerted efforts from healthcare providers including pharmacists.

Chronic Diseases (Public Health)

Leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, managed through team-based approaches and public health interventions emphasizing prevention and management.

Healthy People 2030 Objectives

National goals for health promotion and disease prevention that emphasize cultural diversity and health equity, with a focus on chronic disease prevention through lifestyle interventions and medication management.

Health Disparities

Significant differences in healthcare access and outcomes between different populations, often influenced by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.

Health Literacy

The ability to understand and act on health information, which pharmacists improve by providing clear instructions and ongoing patient education.

Health Information Technology (HIT)

Enables pharmacists to track medication use, monitor adherence, share real-time data, and coordinate care, improving health outcomes and identifying potential drug interactions.

Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM)

Companies that manage prescription drug benefits for health plans, often developing formularies to control costs and improve access to medications.

Formulary

A preferred drug list developed by PBMs to guide medication choices, control costs, and improve access to prescription drugs.

Pharmacist's Role in Emergency Preparedness

Essential involvement in disaster and bioterrorism preparedness, including participation in public health emergency response teams, medication distribution, and immunizations during crises.