Introduction and Overview

Abstract

Public health is a multidisciplinary field that strives to fulfill the mission of promoting health, preventing disease, and protecting populations from health threats. Public health has been successful in achieving this mission as evidenced by the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century. As a result of these achievements, we have enjoyed an increase in our life expectancy and quality of life. Despite these successes, however, the public health system is not uniform throughout communities, yet, is organized and functions according to community-specific resources. In these communities, there often exists a complementary, yet disparate health-care system. The Institute of Medicine poses a call to action to integrate these two systems so that longevity will continue to increase and health-care spending will decrease. However, the argument is made as to how this can only occur if these systems align and operate via shared core principles. Tools to help guide the development of healthy populations, via a comprehensive approach, are described. Lastly, to practice public health is to engage in lifelong learning, and part of this process is to participate in the activities of professional associations, in order to keep current on evidence-based practice, network with colleagues, and engage in leadership opportunities. This chapter presents an overview of the field of public health and how this system must integrate with the health-care system, in order to continue to fulfill its mission of assuring healthy populations. The information presented herein is done so from the viewpoint of both the public health practitioner and educator, and is worthy of review and consideration whether one is a public health student and/or in the early, mid-, or late stages of one’s public health career.