The History of

Public Health

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Developed as part of an
Enhanced AHEC
Community Partnership for
Health Professions
Workforce and Educational
Reform project funded by
the Health Resource and
Service Administration
(HRSA)
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OBJECTIVES
Describe mission, responsibilities and
core functions of public health
systems
Identify essential services
Identify important historical figures

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Balancing Ethical Conflicts

Public health practice is always

struggling to find the correct balance
between respect for individual
autonomy and decision-making and
the need for limitations on
individuals in order to achieve social
justice.
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Key Events
in the
History of Public Health

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Key Events
Did you know that . . .

South Carolina had the first

provincial health officer in America,
in 1712?
South Carolina had its first water
protection regulations in 1671?

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Key Events
Snow and Cholera

Epidemiology: mapping cases of

cholera and household use of water
sources revealed pattern involving a
single water pump
Removing the handle from the Broad
Street pump ended the epidemic

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Death Rates From Cholera 1853-54

Water
Company
Southwark &
Vauxhall
Both
Companies
Lambeth
Water
Company
Southwark
& Vauxhall
Lambeth
Rest of
London

Population
(1851)

Cholera Deaths
(1853-4)

Deaths per
100,000 Living

167,654

192

114

301,149

182

60

14,632
Number of
Houses

0
Deaths From
Cholera

0
Deaths per
10,000 Houses

40,046

1263

315

26,107

98

37

256,423

1422

59
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Did you know that . . .

In an 1881 report the SC Board of

Health identified swamp drainage as
an important tool in stopping
malaria, 10 years before the
mosquito was identified as the
specific vector of the disease?

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Massachusetts and the

Shattuck Report

Massachusetts and the Shattuck

Report
1850

review of sanitation practices and

the potential for improving health status
by enforcement of a sanitary code led to
creation of local board of health in
Massachusetts. This movement spread
to other localities.

SC State Board of Health

Established

in 1898.

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US Public Health Service

Marine Hospital Service

Created

from concern for protection

against imported infectious diseases
and need to care for sick seamen

US Public Health Service

Uniformed

service on call for local,

national or international service in the
protection of the publics health
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The Muckrakers
and New Agencies

Food and Drug Administration

created to administer Pure Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act
Superfund administered by the
Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Occupational Safety & Health Act
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Great Public Health

Achievements of This Century

Vaccination
Motor vehicle safety
Safer workplaces
Control of infectious
diseases
Decline in deaths
from coronary heart
disease and stroke

Safer, healthier food

Healthier mothers and
babies
Family planning
Flouridation of
drinking water
Recognition of tobacco
as a hazard
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Discussion Time

What has been your personal awareness

of public health?
Have you ever visited a public health
program? Used a public health service?
What are current public health issues in
your community?

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Summary

Public Health:
Services were developed to address
the health needs of communities.
Has developed a world view of
health.
Focuses on populations rather than
individuals.
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