The US Public Health - Essay Example

Because of the spread of killer diseases like cholera, most businesses and industries in the United States were severely affected. This prompted wealthy businessmen in the United States to hire graduate nurses called community health nurses to provide healthcare to sick people in parts of Washington DC, Boston, and Cincinnati. The initiative was to provide good sanitation and reduces cases of mortality and morbidity caused by infectious diseases in major cities and areas inhabited by population with lower living standards. The term was also used in the 19th century when epidemiologist John Snow realized that the outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera was a result of the environment. He pointed out that the water pump in London town contributed to the cholera outbreak and closing it will be a solution (Turnock, 2008).

This is done through education, control of infectious diseases, providing information to the population on maintenance of personal hygiene, and management, and development of health facilities to assist in the provision of healthcare (Turnock 2008).

Importance

Studying public health is significant to the country and the population in general. Studying provides a clear path to tackling complex issues relating to healthcare such as the provision of accessible services, control of infectious diseases, reduction of environmental hazards, and curbing issues of drug and substance abuse and violence. Studying the subjects provides an opportunity to specialize in different fields. Additionally, it integrates different professionals such as journalists, teachers, environmentalists, scientists, and attorneys working together to provide a safe environment and improve health. The study provides an opportunity to serve local, national, and international populations (Turnock 2008).

U.S. public health

The United States more of its budget on health issues than any other country in the world. Based on 2004 studies, U.S. per-capita spending was $ 6096. This is double that of Canada which was at $3038. The U.S. is working together with other nations to curb emerging pandemic diseases and conduct research on health-related issues. They also provide funds, technical support, and human resources to international organizations such as United Nations, World Health Organization, and other programs aimed to eliminate tropical diseases such as malaria. Public health in the United States is currently concerned with non-communicable diseases such as cancer, obesity, heart attack, stroke, and injuries. This is quite different from developing countries which are still dealing with communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. However, like other developed countries the U.S. is encouraging the public to administer preventive measures to curb non-contagious diseases like diabetes, cancers, and obesity (Creighton University, 2013). Read More