Public Health is “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting, protecting and improving health through the organised efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988).
Public health professionals use epidemiology - a statistical science - to describe the occurrence of disease and what the causes might be - much of this work is "behind the scenes". The more we understand about the cause of diseases, the more we can do to prevent them; detect them at an early stage; or provide the most appropriate health services.
Departments of Public Health in Ireland contribute to implementing Healthy Ireland, The Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing by actions including:
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Health Protection
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Health Improvement
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Prevent epidemics
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Promote health behaviour - making the healthier choice easy
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Protect people from biolgical, chemical and radio-nuclear health threats
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Monitor the health status of the population
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Respond to incidents and disasters
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Mobilise community action
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Health Services
- Assure the quality, accessibility and accountability of medical care
- Reach out to link high-risk and hard-to-reach people to needed services
- Research to develop new insights and innovative solutions
- Lead the development of evidence-based health policy and planning
