What is Public Health?

What is Public Health?

Per the American Public Health Association (APHA):

"Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play.  While a doctor treats people who are sick, those of us working in public health try to prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place. We also promote wellness by encouraging healthy behaviors." Learn More on the APHA's Website.

The below "Foundational Public Health Services" framework was created in 2013 and revised in 2022.  Originally created by the Public Health Leadership Forum, this model is now housed with the Public Health National Center for Innovations (PHNCI) at the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The revised version is intended to bring the framework in line with current and future public health practice, most notably now including equity as an eighth foundational capability to reflect our current understanding of equity as an important determinant of health and wellbeing. You can click on the image below to open a PDF that provides further information and detail.