Chapter 1: An Introduction to Public Health

The absence of public health would lead to a nightmarish scenario for society.

My first experience with public health occurred the moment I entered the world. The medical team assisting my mother during her cesarean section adhered to infection control guidelines, donning gloves as per public health protocols of that era. The significance of hand hygiene was first recognized by Ignaz Semmelweis in 1846, a finding that was later validated by public health researchers. After many years of experimentation and adjustments, these health guidelines became standard in medical practices globally.

Since that initial experience, I’ve encountered public health numerous times throughout my life. As a baby, I received all my vaccinations. Unfortunately, many of my peers in the same area did not share this fortune, with some succumbing to childhood illnesses that these vaccines are designed to prevent, while others still bear the consequences of those diseases.

Upon entering college, I tested positive for tuberculosis. The results were reported to the local health department, prompting a public health nurse to visit me weekly to ensure I was adhering to my latent tuberculosis medication regimen. While it was possible that the positive result stemmed from the BCG vaccine, my chest x-rays indicated no active disease. Nevertheless, I preferred the minor inconvenience of treatment over the risk of developing one of the most contagious diseases known.

One summer, I faced a bout of strep throat while vacationing with my father. With a high fever, we sought help at a nearby urgent care facility, where a physician administered an antibiotic injection. The infection resolved quickly, and I returned to normal within days. Thanks to public health initiatives, we’ve gained invaluable insights into infectious diseases and their prevention and treatment. Through vaccines and medication, high-income nations have largely eradicated diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria, and many low to middle-income countries are following suit.

But consider a world devoid of public health. What would our society look like without the vital services provided by public health professionals? While public health is often linked to infectious diseases, it also addresses the health repercussions of societal issues like substance abuse and mental health crises. Public health guidelines equip healthcare providers with the latest evidence, enabling them to offer the best care when we inevitably fall ill.

The same scientific principles that advocate for hand hygiene among food handlers to prevent diarrheal diseases—along with more severe threats like hepatitis A—also support the use of vaccines against the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the research confirming the necessity of vitamin D in milk for calcium absorption also encourages us to prioritize sufficient sleep, consume vegetables, and engage in regular physical activity.

The scientific foundations that guide public health practices are rooted in rigorous research, unlike the unproven remedies of homeopathy or essential oils. Public health experts did not arbitrarily decide to recommend masking and social distancing; these strategies are grounded in the effort to manage infectious diseases and safeguard the community.

If public health is undermined, as some commentators advocate, the consequences will be dire. It will not be the affluent who bear the brunt; rather, it will be the vulnerable and uninformed, those misled by dubious sources and sensationalized content.

Feel free to dismiss qualified public health experts in favor of uninformed ideologues. However, be mindful that such choices come with significant risks, particularly when prioritizing individual liberties over collective responsibilities.

Chapter 2: The Future of Public Health

In the first episode of "That's Public Health," we explore the fundamental principles of public health and its significance in our daily lives.

The video "Health Is Bigger than Health Care: The Case for Public Health Reinvestment" discusses the critical need for investing in public health to improve overall community well-being.

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, serves as an epidemiologist at a local health department in Virginia. He is also an adjunct faculty member at a university in northern Virginia and teaches at a leading school of public health. His views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent those of his employers or associates.