Transcript What is Public Health? - Public Health Association of Nebraska

What is Public Health
all about?
What does Public Health do?
• Provide disease
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control and prevention
Assure air and
water quality
Promote healthy
lifestyles
Public Health is a wise
investment
It helps people:
 Save money
 Enjoy good health
 Live longer
People are living longer!
Drugs and medical care
+5 years
Public Health impact
+25 years
Public Health
Is Your
Health Too!
Public Health
Achievements
in the 20th Century
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Immunizations
have virtually eliminated:
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Smallpox
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Tetanus
Polio
Measles
Rubella
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Infectious disease control
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Safe and healthier foods
are now commonplace because of:
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Hand washing
Sanitation
Refrigeration
Pasteurization
Pest control
Healthier animal care, feeding,
and processing
 Improved food supply safety
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Fluoridation
 Primary factor in the
decline of tooth decay
 Benefits all, regardless
of age, education, or
income
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Coronary heart disease
and stroke
The leading cause
of death in the U.S.
despite a 60%
decrease in death rates
since 1950.
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Recognition of tobacco
as a health hazard
Smoking, once socially
acceptable, is on the
decline among U.S. adults.
% of population who smoke
• 1965–42.4%
• 1997–24.7%
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Motor vehicle safety
 1925–18 deaths
per million VMT
 1997–1.7 deaths
per million VMT
VMT: vehicle miles traveled
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Motor vehicle safety
Public Health efforts
have influenced:
 Increased seat belt use
 Vehicle safety improvements
 Traffic safety regulation
and enforcement
 Improved streets and highways
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Mother and infant
mortality rates
 Maternal mortality
rates down 99%
 Infant mortality
rates down 90%
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Mother and infant
mortality rates
 Improved standards
of living
 Technological advances
in medicine
 Greater access to
maternal and
well-baby care
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Family planning
 Desired birth spacing
and family size
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Safer, healthier
workplaces
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Mining safety
Industrial safety
Indoor air quality
Ergonomics
Public Health
Is Your
Health Too!
Public Health
• A population-based
approach to
healthy living
Core functions of
Public Health
Core functions of
Public Health
• Assessment
Core functions of
Public Health
• Assessment
• Policy Development
Core functions of
Public Health
• Assessment
• Policy Development
• Assurance
Core functions of
Public Health
A. Assessment
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Assess community health needs
Investigate health hazards and effects
Analyze health factors
B. Policy Development
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Advocate for community needs and
issues
Prioritize health needs
Plan and develop policies
C. Assurance
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10.
Manage resources
Implement programs
Evaluate programs
Inform the public
Some top priority health
issues in Nebraska
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Obesity
Cardiovascular
disease
Diabetes
Poor nutrition
Lack of exercise
Environmental
health
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Tobacco use
West Nile Virus
Other communicable
diseases
Access to dental
care
Bio-terrorism
Problem:
Obesity Epidemic
In Nebraska:
 Three in five people are overweight or
obese
 1989 to 1999 saw a 75% increase in
obese people
 Major cause of cardiovascular disease
and diabetes
 Cost Nebraska $741 million
in 2002
Obesity Epidemic:
What we are doing
Education focus:
 Risks
 Prevention
Problem:
Cardiovascular Disease
• Causes 29% of deaths
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in Nebraska
84% of Nebraskans have at least
one risk factor
$2.1 billion cost to Nebraska
in 2003
Cardiovascular Disease:
What we are doing
Public health focuses
on prevention through
education
Problem:
Diabetes
• 15% increase in deaths in
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Nebraska from 1989–98
Diabetes costs Nebraska $610
million per year
Diabetes:
What we are doing
• Education is key
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to prevention
Lifestyle changes
can reduce diabetes
development by
40–60%
Problem:
Poor Nutrition
• 4 of 5 Nebraskans don’t eat
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enough fruits and vegetables
Only 8 states rank lower
than Nebraska
Poor Nutrition:
What we are doing
Promoting importance
of balanced diets
Problem:
Lack of physical activity
• 30.4% of Nebraska adults report
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that they do not engage in leisure
time physical activity
4 in every 5 Nebraska high school
students do not engage in
sufficient levels of moderate and
vigorous physical activity
Lack of physical activity:
What we are doing
• Educating youth and
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adults about the value of
physical activity
Creating environments
and policies that are
supportive of physical
activity
Problem:
Tobacco use
• 2,400 Nebraskans died in 1999
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from tobacco use
Over $400 million each year on
tobacco-related health care
45,000 Nebraska youth will die
prematurely as adults from
smoking-related illness
Tobacco use:
What we are doing
• Tobacco-Free Nebraska
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program including
tobacco cessation quitline
(ending 5/30/04)
Grants to local communities
Youth empowerment
activities
Problem:
Oral health access
• 18 Counties have no dentist
• 33 Counties have one or
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two dentists
50% of Nebraska dentists plan to
retire by 2013
Oral health access:
What we are doing
• Recruitment and
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incentives
Critical access facilities
Problem:
West Nile Virus
Nebraska in 2003:
 2022 human cases
 26 deaths
West Nile Virus:
What we are doing
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Prevention
Education
Communication
Action
Problem:
Other communicable diseases
Prompt recognition and
identification are the
key challenges.
Other communicable diseases:
What we are doing
Nebraska’s public health
systems have instituted
an organized network
of surveillance processes.