Public health: the science of promoting health

Excerpt

Public health is “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals” (Winslow 1920). The United Nations’ World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (WHO 1946). Public health plays an important role in disease prevention efforts in both the developing world and in developed countries through local health systems and through international non-governmental organizations. Today, most governments recognize the importance of public health programs in reducing the incidence of disease, disability, and the effects of aging, although public health generally receives significantly less government funding compared to medicine. …