Textbook of PUBLIC HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Public health is defined as “The science and art of preventing disease”, prolonging life, promoting physical and mental health, sanitation, personal hygiene, control of infectious diseases, and organization of health services. It is also defined as the science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. The focus of public health interventions is to prevent and manage diseases and other health conditions through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behavior, communities, and aspects relevant to human health in environments. Its aim is to prevent health problems from happening or re-occurring by implementing educational programs, developing policies, administering services, and conducting research. In many cases, treating a disease or controlling a pathogen can be vital to preventing it in others, such as during an outbreak. Due to the policies and actions developed through public health, the 20th century registered a decrease in the mortality rates and a continual increase in life expectancy in most parts of the world.