Public Health: The elevator pitch edition

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As a student and professional of public health, I cannot count the number of times I get asked the question, “What exactly is public health?”. While my enthusiasm for the importance of this subject can, and does, lead to long-winded, impassioned answers on the merits of health prevention, education and intervention, I will attempt to use the classic “elevator pitch” model to craft a clear and concise answer to the question of “What is public health?”.

Now you might be asking, what is an elevator pitch? – Well, it is the answer to a question or the proposal for a project that takes approximately the length of an elevator ride to explain or outline. Without further ado, I present:

Public Health: The elevator pitch edition.

Who is public health for?

Public health affects people at individual, community, and organizational levels and encompasses various public and private systems and policies. For example, individuals may benefit from reduced-cost flu shot clinics sponsored by the local health department. In an effort to increase physical activity, communities might choose to increase the number of public parks with walking paths. After learning of the link between increased leisure time and improved employee mental health and productivity, organizations might decide to modify their paid time off policies to allow for longer vacations.

What does public health do?

The purpose of public health is to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy. Public health professionals and organizations address health and wellness concerns that stem from social, environmental, and political inequalities, inefficiencies or oversights. The ultimate goal of public health is to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Why is public health needed?

While all communities often can, and do, benefit from public health initiatives, the need for these programs, campaigns, etc, stems from the inherent issue of power and privilege in society today. Populations most in need of assistance to improve the quality of their lives – to ensure that they can live healthy lives – oftentimes are those least able to do so. Consequently, these vulnerable, at-risk populations frequently, but not always, comprise the communities in which public health programs are implemented.

How will public health “get done”?

Public health initiatives work to improve the lives of individuals and communities from both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Collaboration between public health professionals and community members is regularly needed and conducted in order to identify problems, brainstorm answers and craft solutions.