What is Public Health

all about?
What does Public Health do?
Provide disease
control and prevention
Assure air and
water quality
Promote healthy
lifestyles
Public Health is a wise
investment
It helps people:
Save money
Enjoy good health
Live longer
People are living longer!
Drugs and medical care
+5 years
Public Health impact
+25 years
Public Health
Is Your
Health Too!
Public Health
Achievements
in the 20th Century
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Immunizations
have virtually eliminated:
Smallpox
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Tetanus
Polio
Measles
Rubella
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Infectious disease control

Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Safe and healthier foods
are now commonplace because of:
Hand washing
Sanitation
Refrigeration
Pasteurization
Pest control
Healthier animal care, feeding,
and processing
Improved food supply safety
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Fluoridation

Primary factor in the
decline of tooth decay
Benefits all, regardless
of age, education, or
income
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Coronary heart disease
and stroke
The leading cause
of death in the U.S.
despite a 60%
decrease in death rates
since 1950.
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Recognition of tobacco
as a health hazard
Smoking, once socially
acceptable, is on the
decline among U.S. adults.

% of population who smoke
196542.4%
199724.7%
VMT: vehicle miles traveled
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Motor vehicle safety

192518 deaths
per million VMT
19971.7 deaths
per million VMT
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Motor vehicle safety
Public Health efforts
have influenced:
Increased seat belt use
Vehicle safety improvements
Traffic safety regulation
and enforcement
Improved streets and highways
Mother and infant
mortality rates

Maternal mortality
rates down 99%
Infant mortality
rates down 90%
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Mother and infant
mortality rates

Improved standards
of living
Technological advances
in medicine
Greater access to
maternal and
well-baby care
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Family planning

Desired birth spacing
and family size
Public Health achievements in the 20th century
Safer, healthier
workplaces

Mining safety
Industrial safety
Indoor air quality
Ergonomics
Public Health
Is Your
Health Too!
Public Health
A population-based
approach to
healthy living
Core functions of
Public Health
Core functions of
Public Health
Assessment
Core functions of
Public Health
Assessment
Policy Development
Core functions of
Public Health
Assessment
Policy Development
Assurance
Core functions of
Public Health

A. Assessment
1. Assess community health needs
2. Investigate health hazards and effects
3. Analyze health factors

B. Policy Development
4. Advocate for community needs and
issues
5. Prioritize health needs
6. Plan and develop policies

C. Assurance
7. Manage resources
8. Implement programs
9. Evaluate programs
10. Inform the public
Some top priority health issues
in Nebraska
Obesity
Cardiovascular
disease
Diabetes
Poor nutrition
Lack of exercise
Environmental
health
Tobacco use
West Nile Virus
Other communicable
diseases
Access to dental
care
Bio-terrorism
Problem:
Obesity Epidemic
In Nebraska:
Three in five people are overweight or
obese
1989 to 1999 saw a 75% increase in
obese people
Major cause of cardiovascular disease
and diabetes
Cost Nebraska $741 million
in 2002
Obesity Epidemic:
What we are doing
Education focus:
Risks
Prevention
Problem:
Cardiovascular Disease
Causes 29% of deaths
in Nebraska
84% of Nebraskans have at least
one risk factor
$2.1 billion cost to Nebraska
in 2003
Cardiovascular Disease:
What we are doing
Public health focuses
on prevention through
education
Problem:
Diabetes
15% increase in deaths in
Nebraska from 198998
Diabetes costs Nebraska $610
million per year
Diabetes:
What we are doing
Education is key
to prevention
Lifestyle changes
can reduce diabetes
development by
4060%
Problem:
Poor Nutrition
4 of 5 Nebraskans dont eat
enough fruits and vegetables
Only 8 states rank lower
than Nebraska
Poor Nutrition:
What we are doing
Promoting importance
of balanced diets
Problem:
Lack of physical activity
30.4% of Nebraska adults report
that they do not engage in leisure
time physical activity
4 in every 5 Nebraska high school
students do not engage in
sufficient levels of moderate and
vigorous physical activity
Lack of physical activity:
What we are doing
Educating youth and
adults about the value of
physical activity
Creating environments
and policies that are
supportive of physical
activity
Problem:
Tobacco use
2,400 Nebraskans died in 1999
from tobacco use
Over $400 million each year on
tobacco-related health care
45,000 Nebraska youth will die
prematurely as adults from
smoking-related illness
Tobacco use:
What we are doing
Tobacco-Free Nebraska
program including
tobacco cessation quitline
(ending 5/30/04)
Grants to local communities
Youth empowerment
activities
Problem:
Oral health access
18 Counties have no dentist
33 Counties have one or
two dentists
50% of Nebraska dentists plan to
retire by 2013
Oral health access:
What we are doing
Recruitment and
incentives
Critical access facilities
Problem:
West Nile Virus
Nebraska in 2003:
2022 human cases
26 deaths
West Nile Virus:
What we are doing
Prevention
Education
Communication
Action
Problem:
Other communicable diseases
Prompt recognition and
identification are the
key challenges.
Other communicable diseases:
What we are doing
Nebraskas public health
systems have instituted
an organized network
of surveillance processes.