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Public Health

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Public Health

The term "public health" refers to the coordinated actions and plans made to enhance and

safeguard the health and welfare of populations. It entails a planned and methodical approach to

health promotion, disease prevention, and life extension through a variety of interventions

(Scally, 2004). The goal of public health is to address the social, environmental, and behavioral

issues that affect health outcomes while focusing on the well-being of communities.

The article, “Government’s Role in Protecting Health and Safety” by Thomas R Frieden

identifies four roles and responsibilities played by the government in public health. Protecting

people against harm brought on by other people or groups stands out as one of the government's

roles (Frieden, 2013). Frieden contends that whether health dangers are brought on by the

environment or by human activity, the government has a responsibility to protect people from it.

He gives instances including restricting the sale of tainted food, lowering the number of drunk

drivers, and shielding communities and employees from industrial poisons.

By highlighting the significance of comprehending the history of public health, Gabriel

Scally's article "The Importance of the Past in Public Health" supports Frieden's claim. A biased

perspective and a lack of effective public health practice might result from ignoring public health

history (Scally, 2004). We can learn more about the social, economic, and environmental health

determinants that have influenced public health policies and interventions by looking at historical

views. Learning from past achievements and disappointments allows us to inform present-day

practice and decision-making. The importance of effective information sharing and collaboration

in public health emergencies is further highlighted by the outside source on the government's

failed public health database during COVID-19 (C.D, 2023). Decision-making in the public

health system is based on timely and accurate data. A strong information-sharing network is
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essential to effectively identify and respond to potential health hazards while defending people

from harm brought on by others.

Frieden highlights the necessity to disclose accurate information on costs and benefits in

response to criticism of public health initiatives in order to lessen opposition. This supports the

idea in the Scally article that public health history should be incorporated into professional

development and communication (Frieden, 2013). It is possible to counter concerns based on

misconceptions or a lack of comprehension of the benefits by distributing correct information on

the historical impact of public health interventions.

In conclusion, public health is crucial to maintaining and enhancing population health. In

order to handle a variety of issues, including safeguarding people from harm perpetrated by

others, government engagement is essential. For good public health practice, it is crucial to

comprehend the history of the field and ensure effective information sharing. Public health

professionals and policymakers may make educated decisions and promote population health and

well-being by receiving evidence-based information.

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References

C.D. (2023, June). Congressional digest » The Government’s failed public health database.

Congressional Digest. https://congressionaldigest.com/issue/pandemic-preparedness/the-

governments-failed-public-health-database/

Frieden, T. R. (2013). Government’s role in protecting health and safety. N Engl J Med, 368(20),

1857-1859.

Scally, G., & Womack, J. (2004). The importance of the past in public health. Journal of

Epidemiology and Community Health, 58(9), 751.