Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. It is concerned with all aspects of human health, from the prevention of disease and injury to the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Public health efforts are aimed at improving the health of populations, rather than individual patients. They often focus on preventing disease and injury by promoting healthy behaviors, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding risky behaviors like smoking or drinking alcohol excessively.
Population-based approaches to public health are essential to achieving our goal of “Health for All” – ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need to live a long and healthy life. Improving public health requires a multi-sectoral approach that addresses determinants of health at multiple levels: individual, family/household, community, society, and government.
There are many different career paths in public health. Some public health professionals work in clinical settings, providing direct care to patients. Others work in research laboratories developing new treatments or discovering innovative ways to prevent disease. still others work in policymaking or advocacy roles, shaping the policies that affect our collective health. Whatever your interest or expertise, there is a place for you in public health!