Demography, Epidemiology, Health Essay

Public health is the science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society. Beryl S, 2007, BTEC National health and Social Care Book 2, page 116. Public health helps to improve peoples health and well-being in all communities across the nation. This is through improving quality in life, which has prolonged Britains life expectancy, decreased infant and child mortality and reduction of many diseases. There are seven main key aspects to public health in the UK today: monitoring health status; Changes in health patterns are monitored and tracked to detect if there may be any potential problems for the population. Data is collected from different health professionals to monitor the health status of the community, which are then used to inform policy and the planning of health services. Identifying health needs; This is done through gathering data to find out the populations illness trends, the statistics can then be used to improve health and then the area concerned can be highlighted and effects of that illness can be prevented or reduced. Other factors are also included, such as age, genetics, environment, lifestyle and education, as they may relate to the patterns concerning illnesses and diseases. Developing programmes to reduce risk/screen for disease early on; New programmes are introduced to attempt to reduce ill health that can help to identify certain people who may be at risk of certain illnesses or conditions. Once identified the programmes help the preventation of the condition continuing, For example if someone has been told they may develop diabetes due to their weight, then they would be refered to someone who could help lower their weight and therefore lower the risk of developing diabetes.