What is Public Health?
The mission of public health is to "fulfill society's interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy." (Institute of Medicine, Committee for the Study of the Future of Public Health, Division of Health Care Services. 1988. The Future of Public Health. National Academy Press, Washington, DC)
Public health carries out its mission through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury. Its mission is achieved through the application of health promotion and disease prevention technologies and interventions designed to improve and enhance quality of life. Health promotion and disease prevention technologies encompass a broad array of functions and expertise, including the three core public health functions:
· assessment and monitoring of the health of communities and populations at risk to identify health problems and priorities;The Ten Essential Public Health Services*
· formulating public policies, in collaboration with community and government leaders, designed to solve identified local and national health problems and priorities;
· assuring that all populations have access to appropriate and cost-effective care, including health promotion and disease prevention services, and evaluation of the effectiveness of that care
· Monitor health status to identify community health problems
· Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community
· Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues
· Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems
· Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts
· Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
· Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable
· Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce
· Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services
· Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems
The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) is the only national organization representing the deans,
faculty and students of the accredited member schools of public health and
other programs seeking accreditation as schools of public health. This web
page has information on:
Information for Perspective Students
Schools of Public Health
Employment and Training
Programs of Study in Public Health
Degrees offered in Public Health
Distance Learning Programs
Accreditation
Other important web sites:
American Public Health Association: has links to schools and programs
Association of Schools of Public Health in The European Region: Listings of schools and programs in Europe
Council on Education for Public Health: Listing of U.S. Schools of Public Health and Graduate Public Health Programs