(inspirational music)
- Public health is a vaccine
that prevents disease.
- Public health is a
scientist who discovers
the source of a
salmonella outbreak.
- Public health is outreach that
helps prevent
tobacco and drug use.
- So what is public health?
While a doctor
treats individuals,
public health looks at
the health of a community.
We research the risk of disease
and injury in a population
and take action to prevent
them before they occur.
Our early successes
helped stop the spread
of infectious diseases
by improving housing
and sanitation.
With a greater scientific
understanding of health,
well-being and equity,
we introduced prevention
and early protection
activities that helped
increase life expectancy
by more than 20 years.
- Public health is access
to prenatal services
for healthy babies and moms.
- Public health is safety
advances like seatbelt laws
that have saved
millions of lives.
- Public health is
access to contraception
and education to prevent
sexually transmitted diseases.
- Public health was
founded on the principle
of social justice
as a basic right.
Everyone should have the
opportunity for good health.
But today, improvements
in life expectancy
have slowed and we
do not live as long
as people in many
other countries.
Did you know, only a
small amount of what
affects our health actually
happens in the doctor's office.
In fact, our health
is mostly determined
by the social and
physical environments
in which we live,
learn, work and play.
Forget genetic code.
A zip code can mean a
difference in 15 or more years
in life expectancy, even if
you live a few miles apart.
Nearly half of Americans
live in communities
with unhealthy levels
of air pollution
and the Flint,
Michigan lead crisis
taught us the dangers of
our aging water systems.
Poverty and poor
health go hand in hand.
Too many workers are
denied a livable wage.
They can't escape poverty
and their health suffers.
On time high school graduation
is a leading indicator
of good health,
but more than 20% of students
miss this opportunity.
Too many neighborhoods lack
healthy, affordable food options
like fresh fruits
and vegetables.
Addressing these complex
health challenges
will require cooperation
across many sectors.
Thankfully, public health
has taken the lead in working
with government, community
organizations and businesses.
- We partner with city planners
to design safe communities
that encourage physical
activity, bike paths,
public transportation and parks.
- We support Medicare,
Medicaid, CHIP
and the Affordable
Care Act as steps
to quality and
affordable healthcare.
- We advocate common sense
measures to reduce gun violence.
We can reduce gun
deaths in the same way
we partnered with road
planners and car engineers
to address auto fatalities.
- So what is public health?
It is all of us.
Working together to make sure
our communities are safe,
prevent disease and
injury, and give everyone
the opportunity for good health.
Join with APHA as we create
the healthiest nation
in one generation.
(inspirational music)
