Public health is the foundation of our health care system. Public health activities lay the groundwork for healthy communities.

The public health system: Protects us from risks to our health we can not control Helps us change behaviours to protect our own health Public health is defined as the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through organised community effort rather than one individual at a time.

The role of the Health Department is to assure that health related services are available to the public and not necessarily to deliver all the services themselves.

There are three levels of health prevention: Primary prevention Primary prevention or health promotion work to change the environment and the community, as well as family and individual lifestyles and behaviours, to enhance and maintain a state of wellness.

This includes immunisations, health education and health promotion.

Secondary prevention Secondary prevention means risk appraisal and reduction Interventions are designed to reduce risk in those who may be susceptible to health problems because of family history, lifestyle, environment or age Intervention include screening, detection and early diagnosis and treatment before disease develops clear-cut symptoms Tertiary prevention Tertiary prevention is directed at treating and rehabilitating persons with diagnosed health conditions in order to prevent or delay their disability, pain suffering or premature death Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, medication, physical therapy etc.

Ways in which the public health system improve and protect health include: providing the community with health education programmes that will help reduce risky behaviours such as alcohol and drug misuse and abuse providing immunisations and education to parents about prevention finding and treating people who have been exposed to communicable diseases and alerts the community about disease outbreaks, such as the 'flu providing school health services providing prenatal and neonatal health care providing HIV education, testing and counselling.

Health Focus: Pages 18-19 HEALTH HTH