What is Public Health??

Hello and welcome to this video where we  are going to talk about “Public Health”! 

“Public health” has made a significant  impact on the health of populations…….making  

people healthy and saving lives. For example, in the United States,  

between 1900 to1999, people’s life  expectancy has increased by over 30 years… 

Did you know that 25 of these “extra years”  gained are due to public health interventions?! 

So in this video, we are going to  take a look at what public health is,  

how it is different to clinical medicine, who  is responsible for doing it and how it’s done! 

First of all…let’s have a  look at what “health” is. 

The World Health Organization defines  health as “a state of complete physical,  

mental and social well-being rather than  a mere absence of disease or infirmity.” 

This is a pretty bold and ambitious definition  that prompts people to look beyond diseases and  

focus not only on the physical aspect of health  but also the mental and social aspects as well. 

…..and public health?? Well…..public health is the science and art of  

preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting  health through the organized efforts of society.