Unit 12: Public Health
What is Public Health?
To public health systems of the past to today’s present-day public health systems
and strategies. The history of public health in England has come a long way from the
19th century to present day. I will go back to the origins of public health policy in the
UK and the key aspects of public health strategies throughout history that have
made public health what it is today.
P1
Public health aims to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health. Sir Donald
Acheson, a physician who contributed on Public Health in England reflects on the
central focus of modern health strategy that focuses on the responsibility for health
and prevention that relies on a multi-disciplinary approach that emphasises
partnership with people are being served. Key aspects of the public health strategies
include:
To develop programmes to reduce risk and screen for disease
A role of public health is to develop programmes to reduce risk which can be done
by attempting to reduce the levels of ill health by introducing new programmes that
identify people who are ‘at risk’ of a condition and engaging them in preventative
programmes. For example, having a diabetes research center who have an effective
program that is aimed to encourage a healthier lifestyle, diets and physical activity to
reduce the incidence of the disease and ill health. Installing diabetes support
services like the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programmes was launched in 2016 at
Leicester and has vastly help those with type 2 diabetes as this disease was at a
great risk in the Leicestershire area but has benefitted the locals and the public to
help avoid the disease which has seen an increase. As type 2 diabetes, being one of
the UK’s biggest health challenges of having about 2.8 million adults with the
disease within England and around 200,000 new diagnoses being made each year.
But this prevention programme encouraged a positive change in public health and
provided an opportunity for people who are at a high risk to reduce their risk of
developing diabetes.
Leichester Diabetes Center. (2015) Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention
Programme To Launch in Leicester to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. [Online]
[Accessed on 8th October 2018] http://www.leicesterdiabetescentre.org.uk/Healthier-
You-Nhs-Diabetes-Prevention-Programme-To-Launch-In-Leicester
Taken from Unit 22 – Research Methodology – Assignment 1.
To plan and evaluate the provision of health and social care
Assessing the provision of relevant health services and whether or not they are
having sufficient impact on the problem is one of the major roles of public health.
This relating to obesity, this would include assessing whether or not local services
are meeting the demand for weight management advice. Or if there is sufficient
‘capacity’ within service provision to meet the rise demand for obesity-related
services. Or if existing models of services is managing to help people to reduce their
weight and sustain that change. These services must be known and aware to an
area, so the population know that these services and provisions are available and
are being efficiently used to reduce the outbreak of illness and the public are aware
with what to do if a potential outbreak occurs. But are these provisions do not follow
policies and procedures that are put in place to help protect and reduce the risks of
conditions, alternatives must be made.
1
,Unit 12: Public Health
To identify the health needs of the population
Once trends and patterns are established, implications for services can be identified.
Once the needs of the research have been identified, planning a service looks into
what services are needed within an area to help stop the health condition from
spreading. By finding out their need and current health problems/diseases that show
a trend in the area then putting in place provisions and that will help to overcome the
problems. Taken from Unit 22 – Research Methodology – Assignment 1.
As well as looking at the trends and patterns in relation to obesity, assessing the
likely increase in services including blood pressure screening support or dietician
support services. And in relation to alcohol misuse, assessing whether the
community needs local alcohol support services in place. Identifying the health
needs of the population, they must carry out solutions and services to stop an illness
and conditions and prevent a spread to break out. Also tracking changes in the
health of the population and healthcare professional are able to alert the public about
the problems which can be done through regular check-ups with your doctor, GP or
any health professional/specialist and statistics. In addition, the seasons where
people are most likely to gain an infection especially moving towards autumn and
winter time, flu vaccinations are available and offered to the public in the NHS or
health clinics to a protect against the strains of flu and developing any serious
conditions or disease.
To control communicable diseases
Controlling communicable disease is another public health role as it would be deadly
for the nation if they do not control the communicable disease, it will cause more
people to become ill which will cost the NHS millions of money. To control the
communicable disease by reducing the impact of infectious diseases such as
measles, mumps through immunisation and other control measures. As
communicable diseases must be reported through local hospitals, GP or regional
health team to monitor the health and if there are patterns of the infectious disease,
there will be medical resources to prevent further spread. An example is controlling
food hygiene measures in restaurants and take-aways to control the spread of food
poisoning. With Food Law Code of Practice which involves food safety inspectors
who are called in from the local council to visit local poisoning and infections.
Agreements and protocols are in place to support local authorities and give guidance
about regulations and the expertise of the Food Standards Agency is to ensure that
the food is safe to eat.
To monitor the health of the population
Tracking health has been important as it tracks the changes in health of the
population and identify specific health problems. With findings of the increase of
cancers like breast cancer or mouth cancer which connect with the increase of
alcohol intake or smoking. As well as to monitor patterns with the development of
patterns and trends in health like monitoring obesity and planning to prevent future
health related illnesses such as diabetes. For public health bodies and organisations
must monitor the health of the population to link the causes for specific health
problems and find ways to decrease and prevent illnesses. As well as monitor
factors like the working conditions and housing for people to identify the bad
conditions and take further actions to find ways to improve them.
2
, Unit 12: Public Health
To promote the health of the population
This key aspect of public health strategies in promoting health of the population,
public health plays an important role by educating the public on how to minimise
risks to ill health and how to prevent long term future illnesses and disease.
Promoting good health is done through health-promoting activities to reduce ill health
in the population. For example, to promote good health for obesity, this may include
campaigns that encourage people to more active and eat more healthier options like
fruit and vegetables. Another example is for coronary heart disease and lung cancer,
to promote good health there are no smoking campaigns and ‘get active’ campaigns.
Or just having the food necessary for your five a day. Also implementing free
services like free vaccinations, contraception’s within schools, colleges, hospitals
and clinics as the service is easily available and accessible for them. Then through
advertisements through posters, leaflets, internet and social media allows individuals
to have the awareness of infections, diseases and conditions and the risks of them
so they do not be affected as well as find/be cures. As well as know services and
treatments that are available.
There have been many agencies and groups who have influenced and support the
role of the public health to be effective. Key groups that have contributed to the
public health strategies include:
Government and government agencies: Department of health (DH)
The department of health is a department at her Majesty’s Government and are
responsible for government policy on health and social care matters in England. It
also oversees the NHS and its purpose is to help people’s life expectancy and help
lead, shape and fund health care in England. It also makes sure that people have
support, care and treatment they need with respect and dignity.
Pressure groups: Friends of the earth
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Wales is part of an international
community who are dedicated to protect the natural world and the wellbeing of
everyone in it. This charitable trust leads campaigns, provides resources and
information and drive real solutions to the environmental problems facing on earth.
They have commitments to having a peaceful and sustainable world based on
societies living in harmony with nature. And for each generation enjoying an
environment that is getting better with a safer climate, abundant nature, healthy air,
water and food. As well as a growing and diverse network of people coming together
to transform the environment into one which is flourishing, sustainable and socially
just. Friends of the Earth Limited. [Online] [Accessed on 18 th October 2018]
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/about-us. Friends of the earth stands with anyone who
cares about the world we live in and work with local groups, experts, business
leaders and politicians and have 5000 local activist groups worldwide and 2 million
members and supporters globally.
International agencies: WHO
WHO stands for the World health organisation that are a specialised agency with a
primary role to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations
systems. It was established on 7 th April 1948 which now celebrates ‘World Health
Day’ every year. This global health organisation is responsible for detecting and
coordinating health and plays an active field on international health and public health
3
What is Public Health?
To public health systems of the past to today’s present-day public health systems
and strategies. The history of public health in England has come a long way from the
19th century to present day. I will go back to the origins of public health policy in the
UK and the key aspects of public health strategies throughout history that have
made public health what it is today.
P1
Public health aims to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health. Sir Donald
Acheson, a physician who contributed on Public Health in England reflects on the
central focus of modern health strategy that focuses on the responsibility for health
and prevention that relies on a multi-disciplinary approach that emphasises
partnership with people are being served. Key aspects of the public health strategies
include:
To develop programmes to reduce risk and screen for disease
A role of public health is to develop programmes to reduce risk which can be done
by attempting to reduce the levels of ill health by introducing new programmes that
identify people who are ‘at risk’ of a condition and engaging them in preventative
programmes. For example, having a diabetes research center who have an effective
program that is aimed to encourage a healthier lifestyle, diets and physical activity to
reduce the incidence of the disease and ill health. Installing diabetes support
services like the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programmes was launched in 2016 at
Leicester and has vastly help those with type 2 diabetes as this disease was at a
great risk in the Leicestershire area but has benefitted the locals and the public to
help avoid the disease which has seen an increase. As type 2 diabetes, being one of
the UK’s biggest health challenges of having about 2.8 million adults with the
disease within England and around 200,000 new diagnoses being made each year.
But this prevention programme encouraged a positive change in public health and
provided an opportunity for people who are at a high risk to reduce their risk of
developing diabetes.
Leichester Diabetes Center. (2015) Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention
Programme To Launch in Leicester to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. [Online]
[Accessed on 8th October 2018] http://www.leicesterdiabetescentre.org.uk/Healthier-
You-Nhs-Diabetes-Prevention-Programme-To-Launch-In-Leicester
Taken from Unit 22 – Research Methodology – Assignment 1.
To plan and evaluate the provision of health and social care
Assessing the provision of relevant health services and whether or not they are
having sufficient impact on the problem is one of the major roles of public health.
This relating to obesity, this would include assessing whether or not local services
are meeting the demand for weight management advice. Or if there is sufficient
‘capacity’ within service provision to meet the rise demand for obesity-related
services. Or if existing models of services is managing to help people to reduce their
weight and sustain that change. These services must be known and aware to an
area, so the population know that these services and provisions are available and
are being efficiently used to reduce the outbreak of illness and the public are aware
with what to do if a potential outbreak occurs. But are these provisions do not follow
policies and procedures that are put in place to help protect and reduce the risks of
conditions, alternatives must be made.
1
,Unit 12: Public Health
To identify the health needs of the population
Once trends and patterns are established, implications for services can be identified.
Once the needs of the research have been identified, planning a service looks into
what services are needed within an area to help stop the health condition from
spreading. By finding out their need and current health problems/diseases that show
a trend in the area then putting in place provisions and that will help to overcome the
problems. Taken from Unit 22 – Research Methodology – Assignment 1.
As well as looking at the trends and patterns in relation to obesity, assessing the
likely increase in services including blood pressure screening support or dietician
support services. And in relation to alcohol misuse, assessing whether the
community needs local alcohol support services in place. Identifying the health
needs of the population, they must carry out solutions and services to stop an illness
and conditions and prevent a spread to break out. Also tracking changes in the
health of the population and healthcare professional are able to alert the public about
the problems which can be done through regular check-ups with your doctor, GP or
any health professional/specialist and statistics. In addition, the seasons where
people are most likely to gain an infection especially moving towards autumn and
winter time, flu vaccinations are available and offered to the public in the NHS or
health clinics to a protect against the strains of flu and developing any serious
conditions or disease.
To control communicable diseases
Controlling communicable disease is another public health role as it would be deadly
for the nation if they do not control the communicable disease, it will cause more
people to become ill which will cost the NHS millions of money. To control the
communicable disease by reducing the impact of infectious diseases such as
measles, mumps through immunisation and other control measures. As
communicable diseases must be reported through local hospitals, GP or regional
health team to monitor the health and if there are patterns of the infectious disease,
there will be medical resources to prevent further spread. An example is controlling
food hygiene measures in restaurants and take-aways to control the spread of food
poisoning. With Food Law Code of Practice which involves food safety inspectors
who are called in from the local council to visit local poisoning and infections.
Agreements and protocols are in place to support local authorities and give guidance
about regulations and the expertise of the Food Standards Agency is to ensure that
the food is safe to eat.
To monitor the health of the population
Tracking health has been important as it tracks the changes in health of the
population and identify specific health problems. With findings of the increase of
cancers like breast cancer or mouth cancer which connect with the increase of
alcohol intake or smoking. As well as to monitor patterns with the development of
patterns and trends in health like monitoring obesity and planning to prevent future
health related illnesses such as diabetes. For public health bodies and organisations
must monitor the health of the population to link the causes for specific health
problems and find ways to decrease and prevent illnesses. As well as monitor
factors like the working conditions and housing for people to identify the bad
conditions and take further actions to find ways to improve them.
2
, Unit 12: Public Health
To promote the health of the population
This key aspect of public health strategies in promoting health of the population,
public health plays an important role by educating the public on how to minimise
risks to ill health and how to prevent long term future illnesses and disease.
Promoting good health is done through health-promoting activities to reduce ill health
in the population. For example, to promote good health for obesity, this may include
campaigns that encourage people to more active and eat more healthier options like
fruit and vegetables. Another example is for coronary heart disease and lung cancer,
to promote good health there are no smoking campaigns and ‘get active’ campaigns.
Or just having the food necessary for your five a day. Also implementing free
services like free vaccinations, contraception’s within schools, colleges, hospitals
and clinics as the service is easily available and accessible for them. Then through
advertisements through posters, leaflets, internet and social media allows individuals
to have the awareness of infections, diseases and conditions and the risks of them
so they do not be affected as well as find/be cures. As well as know services and
treatments that are available.
There have been many agencies and groups who have influenced and support the
role of the public health to be effective. Key groups that have contributed to the
public health strategies include:
Government and government agencies: Department of health (DH)
The department of health is a department at her Majesty’s Government and are
responsible for government policy on health and social care matters in England. It
also oversees the NHS and its purpose is to help people’s life expectancy and help
lead, shape and fund health care in England. It also makes sure that people have
support, care and treatment they need with respect and dignity.
Pressure groups: Friends of the earth
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Wales is part of an international
community who are dedicated to protect the natural world and the wellbeing of
everyone in it. This charitable trust leads campaigns, provides resources and
information and drive real solutions to the environmental problems facing on earth.
They have commitments to having a peaceful and sustainable world based on
societies living in harmony with nature. And for each generation enjoying an
environment that is getting better with a safer climate, abundant nature, healthy air,
water and food. As well as a growing and diverse network of people coming together
to transform the environment into one which is flourishing, sustainable and socially
just. Friends of the Earth Limited. [Online] [Accessed on 18 th October 2018]
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/about-us. Friends of the earth stands with anyone who
cares about the world we live in and work with local groups, experts, business
leaders and politicians and have 5000 local activist groups worldwide and 2 million
members and supporters globally.
International agencies: WHO
WHO stands for the World health organisation that are a specialised agency with a
primary role to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations
systems. It was established on 7 th April 1948 which now celebrates ‘World Health
Day’ every year. This global health organisation is responsible for detecting and
coordinating health and plays an active field on international health and public health
3
