Public Health

Public health seeks to protect and improve the health of its overall population. Public health professionals work to prevent problems from happening or reoccurring. Public health programs also address health disparities more commonly found among certain groups, such as minorities, the elderly, disabled, those living in poverty or rural areas, or communities within a geographic area. Other areas of work and research may focus on a specific school or other facility, or a local neighborhood, city, or entire state. Many programs often address pressing health matters of national or local concern.

• Here are some examples of a public health system in action:+ Here are some examples of a public health system in action:-
  • Licensing healthcare providers, salons, and other professionals and facilities.
  • Protecting the public from getting sick or dying from contagious diseases and food borne illnesses.
  • Preventing HIV/AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases from infecting more people in the community.
  • Protecting people from getting and dying from rabies.
  • Coordinating vaccination programs.
  • Keeping drinking water and swim areas safe.
  • Providing education, training, and guidance to healthcare providers on timely health matters and other professional issues.
  • Ensuring responsible lead paint removal.
  • Preparing for emergencies and coordinating responses.
  • Preventing injuries.
  • Research and reporting.
  • Analyzing lab results.
  • Investigating deaths.
  • Informing today’s lawmakers about the most pressing local health issues and advocating for change to improve and protect the health of the public.
  • Promoting healthy lifestyles. Examples include childhood and teen vaccination programs, prenatal health, refugee health, exercise and nutrition, and quit smoking campaigns.

Public Health in the United States

Throughout the United States, public health agencies can serve a city or town, a county, or an entire state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention serves as the nation’s public health agency and also helps coordinate responses to problems that cross state boundaries.

Regardless of a public health agency’s jurisdiction or size, the “10 Essential Public Health Services” is the fundamental framework that guides public health activities throughout the United States.

1. Monitor health status to identify community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of healthcare when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure a competent public health and personal healthcare workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

Since 2011, all public health departments and agencies in the United States may now apply for accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) to demonstrate the achievement of certain public health standards.

Public Health in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Health coordinates all public health activities and services throughout the state. The state of Rhode Island has no local health departments.

In late 2011, HEALTH began working toward achieving accreditation through the new Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) certification program, with the goal to submit the state’s application in 2013. (more)