Introduction to public Health

Introduction to Public Health

Concept of Health:

It may now be understood that health is not merely the absence of disease. The definition of health goes beyond the narrow belief that ” Treatment of disease means achieving health ” In other words, health cannot be achieved by merely taking drug treatment prescribed by the doctor. In the wider perspective, Health is defined as, ” A state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and not merely absence of disease. These components of health should be fully developed and balanced, to achieve “Health” in the true sense. All these are under the influence of multiple factors at all times. Therefore health is also a dynamic concept, Which changes every moment. Our health constantly shifts from the illness to wellness of health at all times. Health cannot be practices in isolation. Health has to be linked with education, social economic, cultural environment agriculture transport, rural and urban development sectors, and many more. In fact, all sectors are linked with health, which cannot be linked with health. In this context. Health is viewed as ” an objective as well as means of socioeconomic development. Therefore, the adoption of healthy practice at the individual and community level, indirectly increase the standard of living of the community. The basic concept of Health will lead to a better understanding of the principles and practice of the science of prevention of disease and promotion of health, which are now termed preventive and social Medicine, community medicine, or public Health.

Concept of Public Health:

Public Health as defined by Winsolw (1951) is the science and art of preventing a Disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organised community measures such as control of infection, sanitation, health services, legislation, etc., As a responsibility of the sate ( Government) It is also referred to as the application of scientific knowledge to ensure healthy conditions of life for the individual living as a member of the community. The subject of public Health therefore involves.

1) knowledge of conditions which determine the spread of. Various disease.

2) An organization that has an administrative machinery, to provide facilities for the prevention of disease and promotion of health.

3) Application of medical and scientific knowledge in practice so as to control or modify all factors influencing health.

Therefore, public Health will also have to deal with housing, water supply, disposal of sewage as well as provision of Health care services for all and control of Disease. Nowadays every state has a Public Health Dept. Which may be separate for cities/towns and rural areas.At the state level, public health departments are termed as Director of Health Services, headed by a Director of health services. In cities/ town,i.e. Municipal corporation or councils, the public health departments is headed by the Executive Health officer or Medical officer ( M.O.H)

Evolution of Public Health:

The evolution of public Health can be traced to the history of the industrial revolution, which took place in England around 1836. The industrial revolution is a landmark event, which had its impact all over the world. During this era, there was an upsurge of new technology and scientific discoveries, which contributed to the overall development of human beings. Hence new business and employment opportunities were created. Therefore, overcrowding, lack of adequate clean drinking water, insanitary conditions, lack of environmental hygiene, and lack of Health awareness became a characteristic feature in these areas. Hence, will these, spells of illness, disease epidemic, loss of man-hours due to sickness, and deaths due to communicable disease increase? In other words, the morbidity and mortality rates among the population increased. The Industrial Revolution on the one hand was a milestone of human progress but on the other hand, It brought with, It the hazards of unplanned urbanised clearly affecting the health status of a large section of the susceptible population.