Introduction to Public Health

Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society. A unifying principle of public health is its essentially “public” nature and the fact that it is mainly focused on the health of the population. While personal health services are focused on the individual, public health is focused on population needs. The goals remain the same: to reduce the amount of disease, premature death, and disease-produced discomfort and disability in the population. Public Health influences the health system and other system of the society as well.

Goals of the course:
Participants

1. understand the principles of public health
2. know future challenges in public health and the impact on society
3. can adapt managing and communication aspects into the public health decision making process

Content:

1. Overview

   - Prinicples of public health
   - Health promotion and prevention
   - Quality of life
   - Screeining and early detection of diseases
   - Priority setting

2. Medical and biomedical basis of public health

   - Infectious diseases
   - Vaccination
   - Non communicable diseases
   - Injuries

3. Societal aspects

   - Emerging diseases and disaster management
   - Substance abuse
   - Improving health and cost
   - Social determinants and health in population
   - Early child development

4. Major challenges

   - Physical inactivity
   - Poor diet
   - Longevity and end of life
   - Genetic mapping and intervention

5. Environmental aspects in public health

   - Role of governement
   - Privat public partnership (eg. health and work)
   - Environmental hazards
   - Environment and behaviour

6. Specfic issues

   - Evaluation
   - Ethical aspects
   - Other issues

References
Textbook: Public health: Mary-Jane Schneider: Introduction to Public Health Jones & Bartlett Pub ISBN:9780763763817