preview

The Government Influence On Public Health

Decent Essays

Public health is organised to help service users under health care whether they are undergoing public healthcare or private healthcare. Their aims are to prevent diseases, promote health by providing campaigns and awareness which aims to create a longer life for everyone. Public health is focused on communities as a system and does not just target to eliminate a particular disease. Health is how well overall an individual’s physical, mental and social well-being and does not always have to include the lack of disease or infection (WHO2010).
A key principle that is important in public health is protection. The government aim to improve the nation's health and wellbeing, and their overall goal is to reduce health inequalities. This protection may include legislation, which may reduce the harmful effects of substances, and environmental hazards before they cause illness. One example of this is the minimum age a person can legally drink, for example in England this is 18 although internationally this differs, for example in the US it is 21. 16 and 17 year olds in the UK are allowed to drink cider under supervision by adults. (gov.uk 2015) The government also uses …show more content…

If these smoking bans are also in place within Ellen’s working environment she may find that she has less opportunity to smoke therefore more likely to quit. However, on the issue of Ellen’s drinking it is unlikely that protection will be as effective as she is over the legal limit to drink, and as she has a good job therefore the raising of prices of alcohol, and indeed smoking, will be of little effect; a more effective way to reduce Ellen’s substance abuse is through Health

Get Access