Health Protection means intervening to protect the public from exposure to health-damaging hazards. Departments of Public Health have a statutory responsibility to protect health under the Medical Officer of Health function.
Health protection services include:
Examples of Public Health Hazards
Biological
Toxin producing E.coli
Meningococcal meningitis and septicemiaia
Tuberculosis
Chemical
Drinking water:
Air pollution
Radio-nuclear
Radon gas
Non-ionising radiation
Health protection involves risk assessment, identification and implementation of solutions, and most importantly communication with the public and professionals. Department of Public Health staff work closely with a variety of professionals within the HSE, especially the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and with other agencies including Local Authorities, Government Departments, the Environment Protection Agency, and Public Health England.