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The mission of public health is to "fulfill
society's interest in
assuring conditions in which people can be
healthy." 1
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;
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.
(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)
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