The science and practice of protecting and improving the health of a community by preventive medicines health education, control of communicable diseases and monitoring of environmental hazar known as public health and hygiene.
The entire world has now realized that individual effort is not all the solution to health problems in our society. Unless each and every individual of the community takes as much attempts as possible pero able public health cannot be achieved. The efforts of the whole community in which every individual is the member, is the centre of interest in public health.
Public Health
Public health is the science and art of preventing diseases, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices, organizations public and private communities and individuals (CEA Winslow-1920)
This is the most precious possession that influences all activities of man and his happiness which shape his destiny Further, public health enables every citizen to realize his birth-right of health and longevity on the mother earth
Rise of Public Health:-
The idea of public health appeared in England in 1940 when industrialization brought about slums, accumulation of refuse and human excreta, overcrowding and diseases. Cholera epidemics were so frequent at that time. Johann Peter Frank (1745-1821) conceived the idea that the State (Government) is responsible for the health of people during the disease epidemics
Public Health Organizations:-
Organized community effort is a must to bring out public health in our society. The organized effort may be taken by
★Government agencies such as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
★Medical Colleges and Research Institutes
★Government Hospitals and Primary health centres
★National disease control boards
★Voluntary organization such as trust hospitals and Non-government Organizations (NGOs).
Public health activities:-
The public health activities include:
★Sanitation of environment
★control of communicable disease
★education of individuals in personal hygiene
★early diagnosis and prevention of disease through organised medical and nursing group
