📚 What is “Health”?
Health: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well‑being rather than a
mere absence of disease or infirmity.” – World Health Organization
● Emphasizes physical, mental, and social well‑being.
● Encourages a holistic view beyond just disease absence.
🌐 Public Health Definition
Public health: “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and
promoting health through the organized efforts of society.”
● Prevention, prolongation, promotion.
● Requires organized societal effort.
🏥 Public Health vs. Clinical Medicine
Aspect Clinical Medicine Public Health
Focus Individual patient (e.g., treat Population and upstream factors
a broken leg)
Goal Immediate health problem Identify root causes → prevent recurrence
→ treatment
Scope Direct clinical intervention Holistic investigation of determinants
Example Cast, surgery, medication Road safety policies, education, infrastructure,
s social support, economic conditions
🌟 Determinants of Health
● Individual characteristics – genetics, age, sex.
● Lifestyle & Behaviours – diet, exercise, substance use.
● Physical environment – housing, air quality, road safety.
● Social & Economic environment – education, income, employment, social support.
These are collectively known as social determinants of health (SDOH).
👥 Who is Responsible?
● All sectors of society share responsibility.
● Health departments: central coordinating role.
● Stakeholders:
○ Other government agencies (e.g., transportation, education).
○ Private sector (e.g., employers, manufacturers).
○ NGOs and International Organizations.
○ Communities and individuals.
Key point: Collaboration across sectors is essential for population‑level health
improvement.
🛡️ Core Service Areas of Public Health
Core Area Primary Focus Typical Activities
🛡️
Protection Safeguard population Infectious disease control, environmental hazard
health mitigation, workplace safety, emergency response
📈
Promotion Improve health status Health‑behavior promotion, life‑course interventions,
improve SDOH
🧪
Prevention Stop health issues Vaccination programs, screening services
before they arise
⚙️ Enablers that Make Core Services Work
Enabler What It Provides Why It Matters
Good Governance Clear policies, accountability, Ensures coordinated, effective
leadership action
Advocacy Influence, resource mobilization, Drives policy change and
public support funding
Capacity Skilled workforce, resources Enables implementation and
sustainability
Information & Surveillance, monitoring, evaluation Provides evidence for decisions
Research
📈 Key Takeaways
● Public health operates upstream, addressing root causes, while clinical medicine treats
downstream individual problems.
● Social determinants shape health outcomes; interventions must target multiple layers
(individual, social, economic, environmental).
● Effective public health requires coordinated action across government, private
sector, NGOs, communities, and individuals.
● The World Federation framework: Protection, Promotion, Prevention supported by
governance, advocacy, capacity, and information.
These notes capture the essential concepts needed to understand public health and its
distinction from clinical medicine, the determinants that shape health, who is responsible, and
the framework used to deliver public‑health services.
