The introduction of public health agencies and associations has facilitated significant improvements in the health of the American people over the years. As new diseases, viruses, and bacteria emerged, changes were made to these agencies and associations to meet the healthcare needs of the nation. Public health professionals conduct research and data analysis at national, state, and county levels to provide recommendations for health promotion. Community health professionals then bring this information and recommendations identified by public health professionals to their respective communities.
This paper will focus on the history and development of Public Health, comparing the differences and similarities between public and community health agencies.
Before the twentieth century, few formal public health officials existed. Often, a member of the upper class filled this role. The growth of public health organizations initially started in quickly growing port cities along the east coast during the late 1800s. People entering from all over the world raised concerns about catastrophic diseases entering the country.
Louisiana was the first state to initiate a state board of health in 1855. By the 1880s, most states in the union had formed their own boards. In 1872, ten health reformers met in New York City and created the American Public Health Association (APHA). The main goal of the APHA is to protect all Americans, their families, and their communities from preventable, serious health threats.” The organization strives to assure that community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventative health services are universally accessible in the United States (American Public Health Association, 2011).
In 1798, the United States Congress passed the Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen to finance the construction and operation of public hospitals in port cities, which was the origin of the Marine Hospital Service. John Maynard Woodward was appointed as Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service in 1871. In 1879, yellow fever spread up the Mississippi Valley starting from New Orleans. The devastation caused by this epidemic led to the creation of National Board of Health.
The National Board of Health attempted to regulate quarantine laws among the states, which caused discontent as these laws held significant financial and political value. In 1883, the National Board of Health was dissolved, and its powers were transferred back to the Marine Hospital Service. The Marine Hospital Service later became the United States Public Health Service in 1912, with a specific mandate to investigate disease causes and spread while providing health information to the public (Scutchfield & Keck, 2009, p. 5).
Between the 1930s and 1944, the United States Public Health Services added engineers, dentists, research scientists, nurses, and other healthcare specialists to their arsenal. Today, the United States Public Health Service continues as the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps with a mission to protect and promote public health nationally and globally by preventing disease, sickness, and suffering (U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, 2011).
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates under the Department of Health and Human Services. It began on July 1, 1946, as the Communicable Disease Center with a focus on controlling Malaria in war areas. Over the last six decades, the CDC has grown and taken on more responsibility in its programs. According to the CDC website, Today, CDC is the nation’s premier health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency and a global leader in public health” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010).
The mission of the CDC is to collaborate with others in order to create the expertise, information, and tools necessary for people and communities to protect their health. This includes promoting health, preventing disease, injury and disability, as well as preparing for new health threats (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). The CDC works with healthcare administrations across the country and abroad to maintain a surveillance system that helps prevent outbreaks of disease.
County, state, and national public health resources are available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The department’s goal is to protect citizens’ health and provide services to those in need. Separate agencies focus on individual needs such as wellness (family planning, child health, newborn services), safety (abuse and neglect, domestic violence, food protection), disease education (asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis), and support services (behavioral health, childcare, child support payments and Medicaid).
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) is the largest agency in the state government of New Hampshire. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all citizens residing in New Hampshire (NH DHHS, 2011). NH DHHS offers a wide range of services to individuals, children, families, and seniors with programs that cater to mental health issues, developmental disabilities, substance abuse problems as well as public health concerns. There are one or two offices located in each county to serve residents better. The Food Stamp Program is also available to help residents meet their nutritional needs by providing benefits that can be used at local grocery stores.
Food Stamp benefits cover essential items such as milk, meat, fish, eggs, rice, pasta, and infant formula. The Division of Child Support Services ensures that every child in NH receives financial and medical support from both parents. The Governor’s Commission on Disability provides resources from Social Security and Medicare or Medicaid to assist residents who are unable to continue working. Additionally, the Bureau of Behavioral Health promotes respect, recovery and full community inclusion” for adults with mental illness or emotional disturbances.
Public health nurses focus on the community or population as a whole, raising questions about its overall health status and associated factors (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 14). These nurses come from various specialties or may have specific credentials in public health. Some of the programs that public health nurses focus on include obesity, emergency preparedness, and chemical exposure prevention. They work in schools, workplaces, and local government to provide care for the community.
Community health refers to the application of nursing theory and public health theory to promote, preserve, and maintain the health of populations through the delivery of personal healthcare services to individuals and groups (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 16). Nurses specializing in community health work for both government and private agencies with a focus on improving community health. They educate people about disease prevention, nutrition, childcare, and other related topics. Community health nurses collaborate closely with healthcare organizations. Examples of community health nursing include nurses who work for Community Health Centers or Parish nurses.
Conclusion:
Public and Community Health Associations have improved and extended the quality of life of American citizens since their inception during the 1800s. Many changes occurred through the early years, and changes will likely continue into the future as the needs of the American people change.
Public Health and Community Health are similar in that they each focus on meeting the needs of people. However, Public Health focuses on a larger scale by addressing national needs, while Community Health uses information from Public Health to tailor solutions for their specific community.
