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What Do We Mean by Public Health?
 
The St. Louis City Department of Health is the public health agency for the City. Not everyone understands what we mean by "public health." Public health is credited with adding 25 years to the life expectancy of people in the United States in the 20th century. Yet ask your average citizen what public health is and their reply might be limited to : "healthcare for low-income families." The real story is the public health makes live better for all of us, all the time, through protection, prevention and promotion. The St. Louis City Health Department would like to remind citizens how far we've come, how we got here and exactly what public health is: the active protection of our nation's health and safety, credible information to enhance health decisions, and partnerships with local communities and organizations to promote good health. We've come a long way since 1900 when life expectancy was just 45 years and since 1913 when childbirth was the second leading cause of death (after tuberculosis) for reproductive age women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these are some of the 20th century's greatest achievements in public health
 
  • Vaccinations are now protecting the health of our children. Routine childhood immunizations are so common today that we forget how many children died young of diseases we can now prevent.
  • Infectious diseases were once the major cause of death in this country. Now we control many of them through such measures as clean water and improved sanitation. In addition, we are making great strides toward controlling infections such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Safer and healthier foods are contributing to a healthier society. Our society often fails to notice the important role played by food inspectors and others who ensure a safe food supply. In addition, nutritionists are now able to advise us on diets that will help prevent such chronic conditions as cardiovascular disease and obesity.
  • Mothers and babies are healthier today. Infant mortality has decreased 90% and maternal mortality is down 99% since 1900. Reasons include better access to prenatal and baby care and the use of antibiotics. Access to family planning has also contributed to the health of mothers and babies by allowing for smaller families and longer intervals between the birth of children.
  • Safer automobiles, seat belts and other measures encouraged through public health efforts have lead to a dramatic 90% decrease in the annual death rate from car crashes since 1925. This is despite the dramatic rise in motor-vehicle travel in the past century.
 
Other public health achievements include fluoridation of drinking water, safer workplaces, and recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard. We can also look at a 61 percent decrease since 1972 in the number of deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke. This is due to better access to early detection and treatment and a greater understanding of risk factors.
Our city and nation will continue to experience enormous progress in the prevention, awareness and treatment of health concerns because public health is constantly:
 
  • identifying and solving community health problems;
  • developing policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts;
  • enforcing laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety;
  • evaluating effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and community health services;
  • researching innovative solutions to health problems.
 
Developed and maintained by the Planning and Information section of the City of Saint Louis Department of Health. James A. Heitert, Webmaster
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