Images of Public Health
The System and Social Enterprise
The Profession
The Methods
Government Services
The Health of the Public

Public Health Systems
“human, informational, financial,
 and organizational resources, including public, private and individuals,
 that contribute to the public’s health.”     NACCHO

Public Health History
Sanitation & Housing
Communicable Disease
Industrialization, Labor Laws
Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition
Mental Health
Vital Statistics, Epidemiology
Medical Care, Sickness Insurance
Health Promotion, Clinical Prevention
Injury & Violence Prevention

Determinants of Health

Approach and Rationale

Public Health Components
Legal – Laws, Administrative Law
Practice – Protocols, Standards
Funding – Taxes, Fees, Contributions, Grants
Personnel – Education, Training, Experience
Public – Advocates, Partners, Advisers

Role of Government
Legislature
 laws, funding, oversight, public review
Executive
 leadership, delegation of power, appointment of public health officials and advisors,    priority setting
Judiciary
 enforcement, legislative review

Public Health-NY State and County
Health
Mental Health
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Labor-OSHA*
Environmental Conservation-fish
Education-professional licensing*
Ag & Markets-milk, meat, grocery
Taxation-Alcohol & Tobacco Sales

Typical Local Health Department in NYS
Administration, Fiscal, Human Resources
Planning, Info Systems, Data Management
Personal Health Services
Communicable Disease Control
Children with Special Health Care Needs
Environmental Health
Health Information, Education and Promotion

Public Health –
 Core Functions (IOM 1988)
Policy Development
Assessment
Assurance

Slide 11

Essential Services
Assessment
Monitor health status to identify community health problems
Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community (including laboratory capacity)
Inform, educate and empower people about health issues

Essential Services
Policy Development
Mobilize community partnerships (with other public and health agencies, elected officials, and funding agencies) to identify and solve health problems
Develop (laws,) policies, and plans that support individual and community health efforts (improvement)
Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety

Essential Services
Assurance
Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of  (environmental protection and) personal health services
Assure a competent public health and personal health workforce
Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population based health services (and the impact of budget changes)
Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

Slide 15

Actual Causes of Death
Estimated Totals 50 % of All Deaths, 1990

"Committee on Assuring the Health..."
Committee on Assuring the Health of the Public in the 21st Century

The Public Health System

Linkages and Overlaps

Public Health Services – WTC Response
Assessment
Monitor
Diagnose and Investigate
Inform
Policy
Mobilize
Develop
Enforce
Assurance
Link people to services
Assure competent workforce
Evaluate
Research