How do we do Public Health? - part 2

Introduction to public health module Lecture 6

scope of public health

public health practice involves all that is done to improve health

core functions of public health

assessment, policy development, assurance

assessment

monitoring health; diagnosing and investigating

policy development

mobilize community partnerships; develop policies; inform, educate, empower

assurance

provide/link to care; evaluate; enforce policies; assure competant workforce

prevention

at the core of public health

primary prevention

stop people from falling ill in the first place

secondary prevention

reduce impact of disease as early as possible

tertiary prevention

reduce impact of an ongoing injury or disease once an individual has been diagnosed and treated

natural history of disease

refers to what would happen if nothing was done (disease progression)

stages of disease

susceptibility, subclinical, clinical, recovery/disability/death

susceptibility is…

primary; exposure and risk factors

subclinical is…

secondary; pathological changes

tertiary is…

tertiary; the onset of symptoms