Public health

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." (1920, CEA Winslow) It is with dangers for the general health of a community on the health of the population analysis concerns. The population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents (for example, in the event of a pandemic). Public health is typically divided into epidemiology, biostatistics and health services. Environmental, social, behavioral and health are important areas.

There are two distinct characteristics of public health:

1st It deals with preventive rather than curative aspects of health
2nd It deals with the population level rather than individual level, health issues

to prevent the focus of public health intervention, rather than treat a disease through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behavior. In addition to these activities, can be treated in many cases, a disease be vital to preventing it in other countries, such as during an outbreak of infectious disease. Hand washing, vaccination programsand the distribution of condoms are examples of public health measures.

The goal of public health is to improve lives through prevention and treatment of diseases. 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."