MPH502 - Introduction to Public Health Module 1 - Case - Essay Example

MPH502 - Introduction to Public Health Module Case What is Public Health? The Goals and Values of Public Health Public Health Significance vs. Personal Health:“Public health significance” is the concept which deals with defining the extent, magnitude and importance of the health activity, its graveness and/or its apparent significance to the public. On the other hand, personal health is the concept which weighs the health activities and events according to their perceived importance and meaning to individuals.

Hence, we may say that Public health topics and issues are related to the public at large and the relative merits and demerits of a particular health event is weighed on the basis of their effects and consequences on public whereas, personal health weighs the consequences and significance of health activities and effects of interventions as they impact an individual’s life and health conditions.Importance of Health Awareness and Educational Programs:The health awareness programs are of great significance for public health stability.

The health interventions and awareness programs are making life of people healthier and better since knowledge about disease and epidemics empower them to abstain from health risking habits and attitudes. The awareness programs further work and benefit for a longer time period as the knowledge once gain profits people for an extensive time period. The information, education and awareness about health issues is being publicized by a number of programs including Safe and drug-free School programs, Let’s Move (obesity awareness program), Sex and HIV educational programs and so on.

These programs help people realize the impact of certain dietary, intake and routine habits on their health and life. The information about the devastating effects of certain activities, stop them from repeating such habits and enable them to adopt healthier life style. Hence educational and awareness programs are of great importance in controlling and stabilizing the public health.The Greatest Reason for Reduction in Morbidity and Mortality: The greatest reduction in morbidity and mortality is resulted as a decline in deaths from coronary disease.

The reduction in coronary disease is accompanied by a reduced smoking population, a decline in blood pressure levels, improved medical care facilities and better dietary habits. Reduced smoking, better dietary habits and enhanced health care facilities did not only reduce the mortality rate by coronary disease but have also helped in stabilizing the worsening health conditions of public. However, alcoholism, obesity and stress are increasing the risk of coronary disease (AHA). Increasing trend of fast food, unavailability of healthy food and increasing stress level due to competition in the society and industry lead to higher alcoholism and smoking habits which in turn lead to cardiovascular disease.

The situation of mortality and morbidity is better than the past, there still is a room for improvement and health interventions are required to control the worsening condition of public health. Moreover, awareness programs and school health educational campaigns may act as a helping hand to improve the future conditions of public health in this regard.References:American Heart Association. (n.d.). Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease. American Heart Association. July 17, 2010. from http://www.

americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726.