Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.
What is Public Health? - CDC Foundation
Public health prevents disease and injury. In the medical field, clinicians treat disease and injuries one patient at a time. Public health works with communities and population to identify the causes of disease and disability and implement largescale solutions.
What is Public Health? - APHA
The 10 Essential Public Health Services
The 10 Essential Public Health Services describe the public health activities that all communities should undertake:
10 Essential Public Health Services | Public Health Infrastructure Center | CDC
Some examples of the many professionals in public health:
- Health educators
- Scientists and researchers
- Restaurant inspectors
- Nutritionists
- Community planners
- Social workers
- Epidemiologists
- Public health physicians
- Public health nurses
- Occupational health professionals
- Public policymakers
- Sanitarians