What is Public Health?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
Focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, and health protection.
- 2.
Key areas include epidemiology, environmental health, health education, maternal and child health, nutrition, and access to essential medicines.
- 3.
Aims to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations.
- 4.
Involves various stakeholders: government (central, state, local), NGOs, international organizations, and private sector.
- 5.
Constitutional mandate: Article 21 (Right to Life includes right to health), Article 47 (Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health).
- 6.
Key initiatives: National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat (including PMJAY and Health and Wellness Centres), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
- 7.
Challenges include inadequate infrastructure, shortage of healthcare professionals, unequal access, and high out-of-pocket expenditure.
- 8.
Emphasis on preventive and promotive health to reduce disease burden.
Visual Insights
Core Components of Public Health
Key elements and functions of a robust public health system.
Public Health
- ●Prevention & Control
- ●Health Promotion
- ●Environmental Health
- ●Healthcare Access
Recent Developments
5 developmentsLaunch of Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and expansion of Health and Wellness Centres.
Increased focus on digital health initiatives (e.g., Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission).
Lessons from COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the need for resilient public health infrastructure and vaccine equity.
Debates on healthcare financing, universal health coverage, and public-private partnerships.
Government's target to increase public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
This Concept in News
5 topicsEvidence-Based Policies Needed for Street Dog Management in India
23 Feb 2026The news highlights the importance of evidence-based decision-making in public health. Knee-jerk reactions to public health issues can be ineffective and even harmful. The article demonstrates how a public health approach involves collecting data, analyzing trends, and implementing targeted interventions based on scientific evidence. This challenges the notion that public health is simply about responding to crises; it's about proactively addressing the root causes of health problems. The implications of this news are that public health policies should be informed by science and data, rather than emotions or political pressure. Understanding the concept of public health is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness and ethical implications of different street dog management strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the health of both humans and animals in a holistic way.
Sleep deprivation: Impact on brain function, hormones, and overall health
20 Feb 2026This news highlights the importance of sleep as a critical component of public health. It demonstrates how individual behaviors, like sleep habits, can have significant consequences for overall population health. The news applies the concept of public health by emphasizing the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep habits. It reveals that sleep deprivation is not just an individual issue but a public health concern with far-reaching implications. The implications of this news for public health's future include the need for public health campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of sleep and the development of policies to promote healthy sleep environments. Understanding public health is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the broader societal impact of sleep deprivation and the need for collective action to address this issue.
Early dental care: A key prevention strategy for children's health
20 Feb 2026This news about early dental care demonstrates the practical application of public health principles. (1) It highlights the importance of preventive care as a key aspect of public health. (2) The news shows how public health interventions, like fluoride varnish and SDF, can be implemented in practice to reduce the burden of disease. (3) It reveals the crucial role of school nurses and community health workers in reaching diverse populations. (4) The implications are that investing in early dental care can lead to long-term cost savings and improved health outcomes. (5) Understanding public health is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the importance of prevention, early intervention, and community-based approaches to improving health.
Delhi to Get New Biomedical Waste Treatment Plants Soon
19 Feb 2026This news highlights the critical role of proper waste management in maintaining public health. Biomedical waste, if not treated correctly, can become a breeding ground for pathogens and pollutants, directly impacting the health of communities. The news demonstrates the practical application of public health principles by addressing a specific environmental hazard that threatens public well-being. This news reveals the ongoing need for investment in public health infrastructure and the importance of proactive measures to prevent health risks. The implications of this news are that cities need to prioritize waste management and invest in technologies that protect public health. Understanding public health is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the potential health risks associated with improper waste disposal and the benefits of investing in solutions like biomedical waste treatment plants.
Delhi CM unveils mist spray systems at IGI Airport to combat pollution
15 Feb 2026The news about mist spray systems highlights the crucial intersection of environmental health and public health. (1) It demonstrates how environmental factors, like air pollution, directly impact the health of the population. (2) The initiative applies the concept of public health by attempting to mitigate a known environmental risk factor. However, it also challenges the concept by raising questions about the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of such interventions. (3) The news reveals the ongoing need for innovative solutions to address environmental health challenges in urban areas. (4) The implications of this news for the future of public health include a greater emphasis on environmental interventions and the development of more sustainable solutions. (5) Understanding public health is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for assessing the health risks associated with air pollution and evaluating the effectiveness of the government's response.
