Concept of Health, Public Health and Primary Health Care (PHC)

Concept of Health, Public Health & Career Opportunities in Public HealthDr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiLBDS, MPHDepartment of Public HealthNorth South University

What is Health?Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity-WHO

The ability to lead a socially and economically productive life.

Health is a dynamic condition resulting from a body's constant adjustment and adaptation.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL2Philosophy of HealthHealth is a fundamental human rightHealth is intersectoralHealth is an integral part of developmentHealth and its maintenance is a major social investmentHealth involves individual responsibility, national responsibility and international responsibility. Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL3Dimensions of HealthMajor Dimensions of HealthPhysical dimensionMental DimensionSocial Dimension

Minor Dimensions of HealthSpiritual DimensionEmotional Dimension

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL4Physical DimensionAbility of human body to function properly

Signs of good physical health:Good complexion Clear skinBright eyesGood appetiteSound sleep Regular activity of bowels and bladderSmooth, easy and coordinated movement All the special senses are intact

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL5Mental Dimension A state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world.

Criteria of a mentally healthy person:Is free from internal conflictIs well adjustedHas a strong sense of self-esteemKnows himself/herself, his/her needs, problems and goalsKnows his/her strength and weaknessHas good self-controlFaces problems and tries to solve them intelligently

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL6Social DimensionAbility to interact with others

Criteria of a social personinteract with people and be receptive to their ideas with an open mind.Accept and understand diverse cultural norms.Build networks among different kinds of people.Adopt a positive self-image.Enhance interpersonal communication skills.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL7Emotional DimensionAbility to cope, adjust and adapt

Criteria of emotionally established personSetting realistic goals will go a long way in life planning.Explore every opportunity with an open mind.Be aware of the demands and expectations others have from you.A positive outlook, especially when dealing with conflicts.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL8Spiritual DimensionSpiritual health refers to our personal beliefs and values and to seek meaning and purpose of life.

Activities for spiritual awareness and growthMeditationPrayerVisualizationStretchingYogaDream work

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL9Spiritual DimensionQualities of Spiritually Healthy PersonHopePositive outlookAcceptance of death ForgivenessSelf-acceptanceCommitmentClear valuesPeaceIntimacySelf-worthSelf-esteemDr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL10Determinants of HealthDefinition: The factors which influence health lie both within the individual and externally in the society in which he/she lives are collectively known as determinants of health.

Health is multi-factorial. The more important determinants are

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL11Determinants of HealthBiological ConditionBehavioral and Socio-cultural ConditionsEnvironment ConditionSocio-economic ConditionHealth ServicesAging of The PopulationGenderOther FactorsInformation And CommunicationScience and TechnologyEquity and Social JusticeHuman RightsDr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL12Concept of Public HealthDefinition: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promotinghealth through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL13Features of Public HealthThere are 2 distinguish features of public health:

It deals with prevention of a health problem rather than treating a health problem.

It deals with population-level, rather than individual-level health issues.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL14ContThe population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents.Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL15Objectives of Public HealthPrevention of diseases Prolongation of lifePromotion of health and efficiencyElevation of the standard of living, Provision of the right to health and longevity

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL16Scope of Public HealthEnvironment ControlCommunicable Diseases Control Non-communicable Diseases ControlPersonal Health Services to the Vulnerable Groups or Segments of the Population

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL17Preventive MedicineThe science and art of preventing diseases. prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency of groups of individuals and individuals within these groups, through interception of the diseases process.Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL18FeaturesPublic HealthPreventive MedicineObjective To prevent diseases, prolong life and promote health & efficiency through an organized community effortTo prevent diseases, prolong life and promote health & efficiency through interception of diseases processCoverageServices offered to entire population of a countryServices offered to groups of individuals and individuals within these groupsEmphasisStress laid on both personal and interpersonal measures of direct and indirect nature Greater stress laid on personal level measures of direct natureFunctionariesWell-organized health teams lead by Public health expertsHealth professionals working individuals or in groupsOverlapWhen practiced in group level, it approaches preventive medicineWhen practiced of mass scale, it becomes public healthOperationDeals with control, elimination and eradication of national health problems at national levelDeals with risk-intervention procedures in a variety of special clinics Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL19Public Health and Preventive MedicinePrimary Health Care Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL20Primary Health CareDefinition: Primary Health Care (PHC) is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and the country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self determination.Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL21Components of PHCEducation concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them.Promotion of food supply and proper nutrition.Adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation.Maternal and child health care including family planning.Immunization against the major infectious diseases.Prevention and control of locally endemic diseases.Appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries.Provision of essential drugs.Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL22Primary Health Care in BangladeshBangladesh adopted the PHC program as the basic tool to achieve health for all by 2000.Priority given to establishment of Primary level health infrastructures like-Upazila- Upazila health complexUnion- Union health sub centresWard- Satellite clinicCommunity- Door to door service by Community health workersDr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL23The Public Health WorkforcePublic health involves the application of many different disciplines

BiologyAnthropologyPublic policyMathematicsEngineeringEducationPsychologyComputer ScienceSociologyMedicineBusinessDr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL24How Public Health Professionals Work?Monitor the health status of a community to identify potential problemsDiagnose and investigate health problems and hazards in the communityInform, educate, and empower people about health issues, particularly the underserved and those at riskMobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problemsDevelop policies and plans that support individual and community health effortsDr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL25How Public Health Professionals Work?Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safetyLink people to needed personal health services and ensure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailableEnsure a competent public health and personal health care workforceEvaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health servicesResearch new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL26Opportunity For YouIf you build your career in Public Health from any background, there are hundreds of opportunities waiting for you. Some are given bellow.

Government agencies, such as theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), theNational Institutes of Health(NIH),Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA),Food and Drug Administration(FDA) or theEnvironmental Protection Agency(EPA)Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL27Opportunity For YouMany international NGOs i.e.: WHO, USAID, UNDP, UNFPA etcSome research institution i.e.: ICDDRBHealth care organizations, such as hospital systems and long-term care facilities.Private sector companies, such as health insurers and pharmaceutical companies.Colleges and universities, such as schools of public health or medicine.As an researcher

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