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Nov 24, 2024
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To what extent has public health contributed to improvement in health status
and quality of life over history?
Public health has been a driving force behind improving health status and the quality
of life over the course of history. First and foremost, public health has had a
transformative impact on sanitation. Historically, poor sanitation practices were
responsible for the spread of many diseases. The mid and latter half of the 19th
century saw the emergence of the sanitary movement, led by figures like Chadwick
(Birkhead et al., 2021). This marked a turning point in recognizing the essential
relationship between sanitation and public health. As a result, initiatives were
implemented to improve sanitation, which included better waste disposal systems,
cleaner living conditions, and safer water supply systems (Birkhead et al., 2021).
These measures helped mitigate the spread of diseases and significantly enhanced
the overall quality of life. As infectious diseases came under control, new challenges
emerged, such as heart disease and workplace injuries. Public health initiatives
adapted to these changing dynamics and expanded their focus to encompass
chronic diseases and environmental health. Public health also shifted its focus
towards the collective health of society. This approach emphasized the importance of
community-wide health promotion and disease prevention.
What historical phenomena are most responsible for the development of
public health responses?
The development of public health responses has been significantly shaped by the
historical phenomena of unsanitary conditions and disease outbreaks (Birkhead et
al., 2021). Overcrowding and poor hygiene practices throughout history facilitated
the rapid spread of diseases such as the black death, smallpox, cholera, typhoid,
tuberculosis, and yellow fever. We have recently had infectious diseases such as
Ebola, AIDS, and COVID-19. The dire consequences of these diseases, which
resulted in suffering, death, and societal disruption, necessitated the emergence of
public health strategies to develop, control, and prevent future concerns.
In your opinion, which features of public health make it different from other
fields? Which features are most unique and distinctive? Why?
What makes public health unique is its multidisciplinary nature. Public health
encompasses various disciplines, including epidemiology, environmental health,
social services, health promotion, and many more. This multidisciplinary approach
allows public health professionals to address complex issues and concerns from
multiple viewpoints, considering biological, social, and environmental factors to find
solutions and decide on the best outcomes.
Beba
Birkhead, G. S., Morrow, C. B., & Pirani, S. (2021)
Essentials of Public Health (
4th
ed.) MA: Jones & Bartlett.
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