What is public health?

Elixir Association

What is public health?

Public health is essentially about caring for the health of everyone, not just one individual. It is about preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized community and societal efforts. Unlike individual medicine, which treats patients on a one-to-one basis, public health works to improve the general health conditions for the whole population.

Why is it necessary? Think about the vaccines that protect us against disease, the clean water we drink, nutrition education or measures to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. All this is the result of public health actions. Without these measures, many diseases would spread rapidly and living conditions would be much more dangerous.

Public health contributes to the good of society in visible and invisible ways. For example, campaigns to educate people about hygiene or healthy eating significantly reduce chronic diseases and problems. Through prevention, it helps us avoid serious situations that require costly treatment or long-term care. Moreover, public health also protects us in times of crisis - be it pandemics or natural disasters, through rapid and organized measures that limit the damage.

In essence, public health helps us live healthier and safer lives, both individually and as a society. It is an essential pillar for the wellbeing of communities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the resources they need to lead a healthy life. It is about protecting each other and building a society in which we can all prosper.

Public health plays a key role in preventing many diseases and health problems through education, prevention and control measures at community level. Here are some important examples of diseases and health problems that can be prevented thanks to public health interventions:

Infectious diseases
  • Flu: Through annual vaccination campaigns and hygiene education (hand washing, wearing masks in flu season), public health significantly reduces the spread of flu.
  • Viral hepatitis (A, B, C): Vaccination and education programs to prevent contact with infected blood help reduce the incidence of hepatitis.
  • Tuberculosis: Through screening and appropriate treatment, public health helps to quickly identify and treat cases of tuberculosis, preventing the spread of the disease.
  • HIV/AIDS: Awareness campaigns and education programs on sexual protection and the use of sterile syringes have led to a decrease in new infections.
  • COVID-19: Social distancing measures, vaccination and infection prevention education have significantly reduced the impact of the pandemic.
Vaccine-preventable diseases
  • Polio: Global vaccination campaigns have almost completely eliminated this severely paralyzing disease.
  • Measles, mumps and rubella: Childhood immunization helps prevent these diseases, which can cause serious complications.
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough: Thanks to vaccination, these diseases are now very rare in many parts of the world.
Chronic diseases and non-communicable diseases
  • Cardiovascular diseases: Public health campaigns promoting a healthy diet, exercise and smoking cessation reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Type 2 diabetes: Education about nutrition and physical activity, as well as preventive measures for people at risk, help prevent the development of diabetes.
  • Lung cancer: Smoking cessation programs and legislation limiting exposure to second-hand smoke have reduced the incidence of lung cancer.
  • Obesity: Public health campaigns promoting a balanced diet and physical activity help prevent obesity and associated complications such as diabetes and heart disease.
Mental health problems
  • Depression and anxiety: Awareness campaigns and support programs help to recognize and treat mental disorders early, reducing stigma and facilitating access to mental health services.
  • Suicide: Public health initiatives, which include mental health education and access to helplines and counseling, can prevent suicide through early interventions.
Diseases caused by exposure to risk factors
  • Chronic respiratory diseases: Air pollution reduction programs and anti-smoking measures help prevent asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Toxic poisoning: Legislation regulating the use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace and education on home poisoning prevention help avoid exposure to toxins.
Accidents and trauma
  • Road accidents: Education campaigns on road safety, seatbelts and child seats help reduce road accidents and deaths.
  • Home accidents in children: Education on child safety in the home helps prevent common accidents such as choking, falls, poisoning or burns.
  • Drowning and swimming accidents: Swim training programs and water safety education help prevent drowning.
Occupational diseases
  • Diseases caused by exposure to toxic substances or unsafe working conditions: Occupational health measures protect workers from hazards such as exposure to hazardous chemicals, excessive noise or strenuous physical exertion.

Through all of these efforts, public health not only prevents disease, but also contributes to improving quality of life, reducing the financial burden on the health system and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.

Lack of health education affects people's ability to prevent disease and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Important topics such as sex education, hygiene, chronic disease prevention and mental health are often insufficiently addressed.