C O N C EP T O F H EA LTH , P U B LIC

H EA LTH & C A R EER

O P P O R TU N ITIES IN P U B LIC
H EA LTH

Dr. Hasanuzzaman
sohaiL
BDS, MPH
Department of Public Health
North South University

W hat is H ealth?
Health is a state of complete physical, mental

and social well being and not merely an absence

of disease or infirmity -WHO
The ability to lead a socially and economically

productive life.
Health is a dynamic condition resulting from a

body's constant adjustment and adaptation.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

P hilosophy of H ealth
Health is a fundamental human right
Health is intersectoral
Health is an integral part of

development
Health and its maintenance is a
major social investment
Health involves individual
responsibility, national responsibility
and international responsibility.
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

D im ensions of H ealth
Major Dimensions of Health
Physical dimension
Mental Dimension
Social Dimension
Minor Dimensions of Health
Spiritual Dimension
Emotional Dimension
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

P hysical D im ension
Ability of human body to function properly
Signs of good physical health:
Good complexion
Clear skin
Bright eyes
Good appetite
Sound sleep
Regular activity of bowels and bladder
Smooth, easy and coordinated movement
All the special senses are intact
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

M ental D im ension
A state of balance between the individual and the

surrounding world.
Criteria of a mentally healthy person:
Is free from internal conflict
Is well adjusted
Has a strong sense of self-esteem
Knows himself/herself, his/her needs, problems

and goals
Knows his/her strength and weakness
Has good self-control
Faces problems and tries to solve them
intelligently
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

Social D im ension
Ability to interact with others
Criteria of a social person
interact with people and be receptive to their

ideas with an open mind.

Accept and understand diverse cultural norms.
Build networks among different kinds of people.
Adopt a positive self-image.
Enhance interpersonal communication skills.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

Em otional D im ension
Ability to cope, adjust and adapt
Criteria of emotionally established person
Setting realistic goals will go a long way in life

planning.
Explore every opportunity with an open mind.
Be aware of the demands and expectations
others have from you.
A positive outlook, especially when dealing
with conflicts.
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

Spiritual D im ension
Spiritual health refers to our personal beliefs

and values and to seek meaning and purpose

of life.
Activities for spiritual awareness and growth
Meditation
Prayer
Visualization
Stretching
Yoga
Dream work
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

Spiritual D im ension
Qualities of Spiritually Healthy Person
Hope
Positive outlook
Acceptance of death
Forgiveness
Self-acceptance
Commitment
Clear values
Peace
Intimacy
Self-worth
Self-esteem

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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D eterm inants of H ealth

Definition: The factors which

influence health lie both within the

individual and externally in the
society in which he/she lives are
collectively known as determinants
of health.
Health is multi-factorial. The more

important determinants are

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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D eterm inants of H ealth

Biological Condition
Behavioral and Socio-cultural Conditions
Environment Condition
Socio-economic Condition
Health Services
Aging of The Population
Gender
Other Factors
Information And Communication
Science and Technology
Equity and Social Justice
Human Rights
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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C oncept of P ublic H ealth

Definition: The science and art of

preventing disease, prolonging life and

promotinghealth through the
organized efforts and informed choices
of society, organizations, public and
private, communities and individuals.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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Features of P ublic H ealth

There are 2 distinguish features of
public health:

It deals with prevention of a

health problem rather than
treating a health problem.

It deals with population-level,

rather than individual-level
health issues.
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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Cont
The population in question can be as

small as a handful of people or as

large as all the inhabitants of several
continents.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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O bjectives of P ublic H ealth

Prevention of diseases
Prolongation of life
Promotion of health and efficiency
Elevation of the standard of living,
Provision of the right to health and
longevity

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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Scope of P ublic H ealth

Environment Control
Communicable Diseases Control
Non-communicable Diseases Control
Personal Health Services to the

Vulnerable Groups or Segments of

the Population

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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P reventive M edicine
The science and art of preventing
diseases. prolonging life and
promoting health and efficiency of
groups of individuals and individuals
within these groups, through
interception of the diseases
process.

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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P u b lic H ealth an d P reven tive

M
ed
i
ci
n
e
Features
Public Health
Preventive Medicine
Objective

To prevent diseases, prolong life

and promote health & efficiency
through an organized community
effort

To prevent diseases, prolong

life and promote health &
efficiency through
interception of diseases
process

Coverage

Services offered to entire

population of a country

Services offered to groups of

individuals and individuals
within these groups

Emphasis

Stress laid on both personal and

interpersonal measures of direct
and indirect nature

Greater stress laid on personal

level measures of direct nature

Functionari
es

Well-organized health teams lead

by Public health experts

Health professionals working

individuals or in groups

Overlap

When practiced in group level,

it approaches preventive
medicine

When practiced of mass scale,

it becomes public health

Operation

Deals with control, elimination

and eradication of national
health problems at national level

Deals with risk-intervention

procedures in a variety of
special clinics

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Prim ary H ealth Care

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P rim ary H ealth C are

Definition: Primary Health Care (PHC) is

essential health care based on practical,

scientifically
sound
and
socially
acceptable methods and technology
made universally accessible to individuals
and families in the community through
their full participation and at a cost that
the community and the country can afford
to maintain at every stage of their
development in the spirit of self
determination.
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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Com ponents ofPH C

1. Education concerning prevailing health

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

problems and the methods of preventing

and controlling them.
Promotion of food supply and proper
nutrition.
Adequate supply of safe water and basic
sanitation.
Maternal and child health care including
family planning.
Immunization against the major infectious
diseases.
Prevention and control of locally endemic
diseases.
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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P rim ary H ealth C are in

B angladesh
Bangladesh adopted the PHC program

as the basic tool to achieve health for

all by 2000.
Priority given to establishment of
Primary level health infrastructures likeUpazila- Upazila health complex
Union- Union health sub centres
Ward- Satellite clinic
Community- Door to door service by
Community health workers
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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The P ublic H ealth W orkforce

Public health involves the application of many
different disciplines
Biology
Anthropology
Public policy
Mathematics
Engineering
Education
Psychology
Computer Science
Sociology
Medicine
Business

Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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H ow P ublic H ealth
P rofessionals W ork?

Monitor the health status of a community to

identify potential problems

Diagnose and investigate health problems
and hazards in the community
Inform, educate, and empower people about
health issues, particularly the underserved
and those at risk
Mobilize community partnerships to identify
and solve health problems
Develop policies and plans that support
individual and community health efforts
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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H ow P ublic H ealth
P rofessionals W ork?

Enforce laws and regulations that protect health

and ensure safety

Link people to needed personal health services
and ensure the provision of health care when
otherwise unavailable
Ensure a competent public health and personal
health care workforce
Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality
of personal and population-based health
services
Research new insights and innovative solutions
to health problems
Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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O pportunity For You

If you build your career in Public Health from

any background, there are hundreds of

opportunities waiting for you. Some are given
bellow.
Government agencies, such as theCenters

for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC),

theNational Institutes of
Health(NIH),Occupational Safety and Health
Administration(OSHA),Food and Drug
Administration(FDA) or theEnvironmental
Protection Agency(EPA)
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O pportunity For You

Many international NGOs i.e.: WHO,

USAID, UNDP, UNFPA etc

Some research institution i.e.: ICDDRB
Health care organizations, such as
hospital systems and long-term care
facilities.
Private sector companies, such as health
insurers and pharmaceutical companies.
Colleges and universities, such as
schools of public health or medicine.
As an researcher
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Dr. Hasanuzzaman sohaiL

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