5 Ways Public Health Helps Keep Communities Healthy

The modern era of public health emerged in the U.S. in the 19th century. During this time, it became clear that public approaches to health problems, like infectious diseases, were necessary. Since then, its focus has evolved from battling epidemics to responding to community health threats in the 21st century. 

The relevance of public health, however, dates back hundreds of years before the creation of modern science. And its progress has enabled people to live longer, healthier lives. Today, public health can impact many aspects of your everyday life — from the foods you eat to the places you live and work. 

But what exactly is public health, and how does it help keep communities healthy?

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What is public health?

Public health improves and protects the health of people and the communities where they learn, live, play, and work. Public health is different from medical care. People seek medical care when they’re sick or injured. The goal of public health is to keep people from getting sick or injured in the first place. Public health programs encourage healthy behaviors and wellness. Vaccination programs, food safety, and chronic disease prevention are all examples of how public health makes an impact.

The word “public” in public health is important. It implies that the people are the main receivers of community health services. Public health programs work to improve the systems that determine people’s health instead of focusing on individual behavior or risk for illness. 

But it’s not just about knowing there are health problems in the community. It’s about taking action to inspire change at multiple levels — individual, interpersonal, community, and societal. Public health does this by using evidence that has the best impact on the health of society. So, what might these efforts look like?

Nutrition education programs are one example. They can help people learn how to make better food choices for their health. Yet, not everyone has equitable access to resources like healthy foods. Community efforts with local grocery stores and farmers markets can help bridge this gap. And at the societal level, policy change can help allocate resources for a larger number of people.

Who is involved in public health? 

There are many people involved in public health efforts at the local, state, and national levels. This includes a workforce whose jobs involve solving important health problems. A couple examples are social workers and all types of healthcare workers, including physicians and nurses, epidemiologists, and researchers. 

The federal government also plays a role in ensuring public health’s mission is addressed. Examples of these efforts include:

• Changing policies to improve public safety (e.g., tobacco control and cessation)

• Providing housing assistance for low-income families (e.g., housing choice voucher program)

• Family support programs that aid child welfare (e.g., Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention program)

• Small-scale programs for specific health problems (e.g., HIV prevention)

• Securing vaccines, tests, and treatments for infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19)

Why is public health important?

Public health is important since it helps advance social justice. Social justice means that every person is worthy of rights and has equal opportunities to thrive. These rights include good health. And health equity ensures that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible. 

Yet, there are systems that keep some groups from benefiting from resources that maintain health. This has resulted in significant health disparities. Differences are stark across a number of categories, including gender, race, and class. 

Public health works to eliminate avoidable differences in health status and outcomes between regions and groups. This is done by focusing on social determinants of health — factors like income, food security, and early childhood development that affect health outcomes.

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Next, let’s review a few examples of public health in action.

1. Seat belt use

Public health keeps communities healthy through motor vehicle safety. Did you know that cars didn’t always have seat belts? Shoulder and lap belts weren’t required in cars by the federal government until the 1960s. When they were introduced, passengers and drivers were resistant to using them. 

Many said that seat belts were restrictive on their freedom. When a seat belt bill was passed to fine people for not buckling up, some Americans were outraged. Some people even sold t-shirts that gave the appearance that you were wearing a seat belt to help others skirt the law.

Motor vehicle injuries and deaths were still a public health problem in the 1990s. So, the American Public Health Association (APHA) made efforts to educate Americans and policymakers about the importance of using seat belts. It designed the “Buckle Up, America” campaign to advocate for traffic safety.

2. Safe foods

Have you or someone you know ever experienced food poisoning? Or maybe a food item you had purchased was recalled? If so, you’ve witnessed the importance of public health through food safety. 

Foodborne illnesses are a public health problem. In fact, about 1 out of every 6 people in the U.S. become sick every year because of them. But the good news is that they’re preventable. And public health measures, like pasteurized milk, have played a role in making our foods safer.

Germs and food hazards can affect the food system from farm to table. This is where food safety comes in. And it’s especially important for people at higher risk of getting sick. This includes young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

How food suppliers produce, process, and store food is important in preventing foodborne illnesses. These processes are regulated and monitored by local, state, and federal agencies. And public health professionals are involved in tracking and investigating outbreaks.

Understanding your individual responsibility when it comes to food safety is important, too. Several ways you can prevent foodborne illnesses at home include:

• Knowing the correct temperature for cooking foods

• Being mindful of foods that are riskier than others

• Storing food at safe temperatures

3. Chronic disease prevention

It’s estimated that 60% of U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease. Common examples include diabetes, cancer, and heart disease — the three leading causes of disability and death in the U.S. 

Chronic diseases make up a significant portion of annual health care costs. But many chronic diseases are preventable. Because of this, public health professionals recommend behaviors and policy changes to promote health.

Secondhand smoke

Exposure to tobacco smoke can put you at risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke — even if you don’t smoke. Smoke-free laws are in place to protect you in public areas where you might be exposed to secondhand smoke. And choosing smoke-free businesses when you go out can help protect you and your loved ones.

Physical inactivity

Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are also more likely if you’re not keeping physically active. But some communities lack safe and convenient places for exercise. Community-level efforts can help make physical activity more accessible by developing or redesigning these areas.

4. Healthy workplaces

You’ve probably heard of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) before. But public health professionals have also played a large role in advocating for everyday Americans in the workplace. This is important because the environment where you work can also affect your health outcomes. 

Workplace health programs are one way of improving quality of life and reducing health risks. Some examples include:

• Creating a tobacco-free campus policy

• Giving employees health insurance for preventive screenings

• Providing access to fitness facilities and health education classes

• Making healthy food accessible through cafeterias

5. Maternal and child health

Maternal and child health is an important public health issue in the U.S. for a number of reasons. For one, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate compared to other developed countries. This disproportionately affects Black women, who have 3 to 4 times the risk of pregnancy-related death compared to white women.

What’s more, many women and children don’t have access to important health services and food. In fact, it’s estimated that about 15% of households with children are food insecure. This means they don’t have access to enough food for everyone.

Programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) help make these resources available. This includes supplemental foods, nutrition education and healthcare referrals for those who qualify.

The APHA and the CDC also work to improve the lives of women, children, and families. This is done through research, partnerships, advocacy, and more.

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Written by:

Tyler Frank, MS

Tyler Frank is a PhD student in the Public Health Sciences program at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. He received his Master of Science in Applied Health Behavior Research at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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