What is Public Health?

Definition of “Public Health”: The organised efforts to prevent disease, promote health and prolong life among the population as a whole. Its activities aim to provide conditions in which people can be healthy and focus on entire populations, not on individual patients or diseases.

Public health is a broad and interdisciplinary field that encompasses various aspects of health promotion, disease prevention, and health equity. Public health practitioners aim to improve the health and well-being of populations by addressing the social, environmental, and behavioural factors that influence health outcomes. Public health also involves developing policies, programs, and interventions that are based on scientific evidence and ethical principles. Some examples of public health domains are: infectious disease control, chronic disease management, environmental health, maternal and child health, mental health, health education, and health systems strengthening.

What is Epidemiology?

Definition of “Epidemiology”: The study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease related states in populations, and the application of this study to control health problems.

Epidemiology is the process by which health problems are:

• Detected
• Investigated to determine their causes and distribution
• Analysed to identify opportunities for prevention, and
• The scientific basis for the practice of preventive medicine and public health

Uses of Epidemiology

1. To identify the causes and risk factors for disease
2. To describe the extent of disease in the community
3. To study the natural history and prognosis of disease
4. To evaluate interventions (preventive and therapeutic measures)
5. To provide foundation for public policy