What Is Public Health?
"When someone asks me, ‘What is public health?’ my mind races. How do I explain something so broad and impactful in a way they’ll understand?" -Dr. Huntley
In this episode, Dr. Huntley explores the concept of public health, particularly in relation to BIPOC communities. She discusses the challenges of explaining public health in layman's terms, shares insights from leading public health institutions, and provides practical conversation starters to help others understand the importance and scope of public health. The episode emphasizes the need for public health professionals to communicate effectively and engage with their communities to foster a better understanding of health issues.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Public health is essential for BIPOC communities.
Effective communication is key in public health.
Public health professionals must explain concepts in simple terms.
Understanding public health requires a holistic view of health.
Public health aims to prevent disease and promote health at a community level.
Conversation starters can help bridge the gap in understanding public health.
Public health is proactive, addressing issues before they become problems.
Engaging with the community enhances public health efforts.
Public health education is vital for future generations.
Practicing explanations of public health can improve communication skills.
"How do you explain public health to someone who’s never heard of it? Do you talk about clean water? Vaccines? Safe neighborhoods? The possibilities are endless." - Dr. Huntley
Defining Health
What does health mean? Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. - World Health Organization
Defining Public Health:
Explaining Public Health: Conversation Starters
Dr. Huntley shared several conversation starters in this episode. They are simple ways to explain public health without being too technical. These are great for non-scientific communities.
Here are a few that might be great for kids...
Public health is about creating environments where it's easier to be healthy. It’s like making sure your school has decent lunches, working water fountains, and clean bathrooms. Or making sure there are safe places to walk, bike, or hang out with friends.
It's like being a health teacher for the whole city. Public health workers help everyone learn about staying healthy - from teaching kids about washing their hands to showing grown-ups how to eat better and exercise more.
Here are a few more that aren’t too technical or scientific...
Public health is about fixing health problems at their source. Instead of just treating someone's asthma, public health workers tackle air pollution that's causing breathing problems for everyone in the neighborhood. They're dealing with the root cause, not just the symptoms.
It's like being part of a health protection team that works behind the scenes. While you might not notice them day to day, public health workers are making sure the water you drink is safe, the air you breathe is clean, and disease outbreaks don't spread through your community.
Public health is like having weather forecasters, but for diseases instead of storms. They try to predict when illnesses might spread and warn people about how to stay safe - just like meteorologists warn us about bad weather.
Click the link below if you’d like to download the full list of conversation starters.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Keep In Touch:
Podcast Links
Enjoying the podcast? Please write a favorable review of the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast in Apple Podcasts.
Listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast (PHEC Podcast) in Spotify.
Listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast (PHEC Podcast) in Google Podcasts.
Listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast (PHEC Podcast) on other podcast platforms.
Like This Episode?
Click links below to share this episode with your network!
Comment below with your favorite takeaway!
Public Health Consulting To Support You
DrCHHuntley LLC is a public health consulting firm that specializes in epidemiology consulting, supporting large nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also provide nationwide public health consulting and epidemiology consulting support to BIPOC organizations across the United States.
Comments