March 21, 2022

What Is Public Health?

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What Is Public Health?
What Is Public Health?
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This week Stan, Clarence, and guest Dr. John Finnegan - esteemed professor and former Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health - begins to answer the critical question, “What is Public Health?”

 

Discussion Topics + Research 

    1. Dr. John R. Finnegan
      1. Former professor and dean of SPH UMN (2005-2021)
      2. Received both MA and PHD from UMN in Mass Communication
      3. Board member and board chair of several organizations 
        1. Children’s HeartLink (Minneapolis)
        2. HealthEast (St. Paul)
        3. Associations of Schools and Programs of Public Health (DC) 
      4. Published author (research)
      5. Involved in many UMN initiatives surrounding sexual assault and gun violence 
      6. Awards & Recognitions
        1. The Albert Justus Chesley Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Public Health in the State of Minnesota, Minnesota Public Health Association, 2012
        2. Distinguished Career Award, Public Health Education and Health Promotion, American Public Health Association, 2007
        3. Delta Omega, Pi Chapter, Honorary Scholarly Society in Public Health
      7. Interesting…
    2. What is Public Health?
      1. CEA Winslow/CDC: “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals” 
      2. WHO: “public health aims to provide maximum benefit for the largest number of people” 
      3. Johns Hopkins: “In public health, researchers, practitioners, and educators prevent disease and injury at the community and population level. We identify the causes of disease and disability, and we implement large-scale solutions”
      4. Stan: successful public health is in the background/it’s invisible 

 

  • Public Health & the Public & the Media 

 

      1. It feels like we’re only hearing about public health now, because of COVID-19, is that true? Why or why not? 
      2. Why doesn’t the public know more about public health?

 

  • Core Functions of Public Health

 

      1. Assessment
      2. Policy development
      3. Assurance 

 

  • Health Determinants 

 

      1. Genes & biology 
      2. Health behaviors
      3. Social & societal characteristics (largest component) 
      4. Health services & medical care 

 

  • Development of Public Health

 

      1. 500 BCE: Greek and Roman people practiced community sanitation measures
      2. 1840s: Public Health Act of 1848 was established in UK
        1. Created general board of health to create/initiate local sanitary reform projects 
      3. 1970: EPA was founded 
    1. Core Components of Public Health 
      1. Surveillance
      2. Prevention effectiveness
      3. Epidemiology 
      4. Laboratory 
      5. Informatics 

 

  • Historical Pandemics

 

      1. 1918 Influenza 
      2. Polio: vaccine introduced in 1955
      3. HIV 

 

  • Prevention through Policy

 

      1. Book of Leviticus: world’s first written health code
      2. Tobacco laws: banned smoking in public places
      3. Obesity: food labeling and promotion of physical activity 

 

  • Johns Hopkins 100 Objects That Shaped Public Health (2016)

 

    1. Includes: air conditioner, airbag, american cheese, cars, helmets, bottles water, car seat, cigarettes, condoms, garbage trucks, guns, HIV tests, opioids, pap smears, gym class, seat belts, refrigerators, smartphones, sidewalks, smoke alarms, speed limit signs, sterile gloves, sunscreen, vaccines, traffic lights, toilets, water pumps, warning labels, and water treatment plants 

Sources