MEDF 1021 Public Health and Healthcare Ethics (L1) 09/09/2015
Public Health problems in the 21st century, an introduction of public health
WHO Definition: Health
“ Health is a state of complete Physical, Mental and Social well-being and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity.”
Definition: Public Health
The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts
of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.
Fitting the framework together: 3 domains
1. Health Protection
- Environment health
- Occupational health
- Infectious diseases
2. Health Improvement
- International health
- Psychosocial aspects of health
- Health education
- Impact of wider determinants and international perspectives
3. Health Services
- Health economics
- Care groups
- Healthcare management
- Healthcare systems and policy
- Primary care
- Evidence based medicine
WHO Definition: Global Public Health
Health is a state of complete Physical, Mental and Social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity
WHO Definition: Global Public Health
as a result of globalization, forces that affect public health can and do come from outside state boundaries
and that responding to public health issues now requires attention to cross-border health risks, including
access to dangerous products and environmental change
