public health problem essay

Writing Guide

Writing serves as a useful skill for anyone in the field of public health — students and professionals alike. Public health students must enroll in writing-intensive courses that require essays and research papers. Once students graduate, they put their skills to use writing reports on community health. They may compose presentations, research studies, or press releases, depending on their jobs. Those who stay in academia continue to write research papers throughout their careers.

Students should begin cultivating a clear and concise writing style long before they graduate.

They should also learn how to use standardized citations. Understanding how to properly cite sources will help students as they conduct research and publish their findings. Citations also help students and researchers avoid plagiarism.

This guide explains how to write a public health report, a research paper, and an exam essay. The page also advises students on how to conduct research online and find trustworthy sources. Students can review citation style guides and public health writing samples.

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Types of writing public health students will do in school, personal statements.

When applying to a public health program, schools often require students to submit personal statements. Schools may either ask students to write a general personal essay answer a certain prompt. Usually, prompts center around applicants’ interest in public health or about the public health field in general. Students might come across a prompt similar to this one: “Identify a public health issue in the U.S., and how you would work to rectify it as a public health professional.” Alternately, students may encounter this common topic: “What drove you to pursue a career in public health?”

Schools look for essays that are honest, well-written, and well-organized. Students should get the reader’s attention with an anecdote illustrating their commitment to public health. Was it an experience with adversity or discrimination that prompted you to pursue this career? Did you learn about the importance of public health while volunteering or traveling? Include those details in the story.

Students should also demonstrate their current knowledge of public health. They may write about their career goals as well. However, students should avoid writing exaggerations, falsehoods, or superlatives. People who read admissions essays can typically sense when applicants are stretching the truth. If the school makes the personal statement optional, students should still consider writing one. A personal statement demonstrates commitment and hard work, and may help make up for flawed or weak admissions materials.

In some public health courses, professors require students to answer essay questions during exams. This can be intimidating since students do not usually know the prompt until they actually start the exam. Students have a limited amount of time to write the essay, typically one or two hours. Students should allot their time accordingly. Some students do not plan their work before they begin writing; this can lead to sloppy essays with weak supporting points, disorganized information, and tangents unrelated to the prompt.

For a 60-minute time frame, students may give themselves 10 minutes to brainstorm, plan, and outline.

During the brainstorming process, students should write their thesis statement.

Then they should jot down three points that support the thesis. These ideas will serve as the three body paragraphs. Students may give themselves five minutes to write the introduction, 30 minutes to write the body, and then five minutes to write the conclusion. They then have 10 minutes to proofread. Students often inadvertently miss this step, but proofreading may make or break the essay.

Students should begin planning long before the day of the essay. Students ought to review the material well enough to be prepared for any prompt. They should carefully look over their lecture notes to determine which points the professor emphasized during classes. These points will likely prove significant when it comes time for the exam. Students should also make sure that they actually answer the prompt instead of rushing and jumping to assumptions.

Research Papers

In a research paper, students examine the existing research, theories, case studies, and ideas about a particular topic. Students have several weeks to write research papers, which may seem like a huge amount of time. However, research papers demand a lot of work, so students should start early. Professors rarely assign strict, narrow prompts for research papers. Instead, they usually give students a topic or range of topics, and students choose their focus. Public health topics may include how poverty or race affects access to healthcare; opioid abuse; the social consequences of HIV/AIDS; childhood obesity; or maternal mortality in third world countries.

Students should start by brainstorming a list of points and ideas they will investigate. Then comes the most time-intensive and significant part of a research paper: the research itself. Students ought to use multiple different resources to help them craft their arguments. Options include online databases, academic journals, and their college library. Make sure you keep track of citations and sources as you go.

Students should also make sure their essays are well-structured. A well-written thesis unites the main points of the paper. Unlike essays, research papers usually include more than five paragraphs. Students may break down their arguments into different sections. A research paper must include a works cited or bibliography that credits all sources. The exact length of the paper and number of sources depends on the professor’s expectations.

Over the course of their academic careers, public health students write many kinds of essays. Professors often assign persuasive essays, in which the student must make a convincing argument; expository essays, in which the student explores and explains an idea; narrative essays, in which the student tells a story; comparative essays, in which the students analyzes two different viewpoints; and cause and effect essays, in which the student must explain the logic behind why certain events or phenomena occur.

• Narrative: In a narrative essay, the author tells a meaningful story. Studying public health, you probably won’t write many narratives. However, narrative essays can support an argument or prove a point. For instance, if you argue that every community should have a free clinic, you might tell a personal story about your experience growing up in a low-income neighborhood with no access to healthcare. Make sure your essay demonstrates a clear plot, follows an organized structure, and includes many details.
• Expository: When professors assign expository essays, they expect students to explain or describe a concept. These essays help professors evaluate whether students have a firm grasp on a topic. Expository essay often include five paragraphs: an introduction with a thesis statement, three main points backing that thesis statement, and a conclusion. Students should do plenty of planning and research before writing to ensure they adequately address the prompt and include enough evidence.
• Persuasive: Persuasive essays appear commonly in academic assignments. Students first develop an argument as a thesis statement. Then, they generate a cogent defense of that argument by researching supporting evidence. Students should be able to anticipate arguments against their thesis statement and include counterpoints. In persuasive essays, students not only demonstrate their knowledge of the course material, but also prove their critical thinking skills by developing their case.
• Comparative: A comparative essay requires students to compare and contrast two ideas, viewpoints, or things. For example, public health students may compare two texts, theories, public health systems, or positions on an issue. First of all, students should create a list of similarities and differences between the two items. After that, they can develop a thesis statement on whether the similarities outweigh the differences or vice versa. Finally, they should organize the essay. They can either defend their thesis statement by listing each point of comparison, or they can split the essay in half by discussing subject one and then subject two.
• Cause and Effect: These essays require students to explain how one event or theory leads to a specific consequence. For instance, a public health student might argue that abstinence-only education in public schools leads to a higher rate of teenage pregnancies. Students should remember that just because one event follows another, those two events do not necessarily influence one another. In other words, correlation does not equal causation. In the analysis portion of the essay, students must explain specific reasons why they think the two events are connected using data and other evidence.

Citations Guide for Public Health Students

In public health writing, just as any other discipline, students must cite their sources. If students use ideas, theories, or research without crediting the original source — even unintentionally — then they have plagiarised. An accusation of plagiarism could follow the student throughout their education and professional career. Professors may fail students who plagiarise, sinking their GPA. Plagiarism accusations can also ruin a student’s credibility. Fortunately, students can avoid plagiarism by properly giving credit for their data and ideas. Common citation styles include those listed below.

American Psychological Association (APA) Style

Students in the social sciences use APA style when writing their essays and research papers. Business and nursing students also commonly use APA style. APA prefers active voice over passive voice, as well as concise language over flowery words. Research papers written in APA style should include a title page, abstract, and a reference page. In-text citations list the author’s name, year of publication, and page number if applicable. Below is an example of how to cite a source using APA style.

In-text citation:

In Milwaukee, poor neighbourhoods were segregated by design (Desmond, 2017, p. 249).

On the works cited page:

Desmond, M. (2017). Evicted: Poverty and profit in the American city . London: Penguin Books.

Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

History students and students of the natural sciences typically use Chicago, or Turabian, style in their research. Papers written in Chicago style include three sections: the title page, the main body, and a references page. This style also uses footnotes to source information and provide more context. In-text citations list the author’s name, the date of publication, and the page where the student found the data. Unlike APA style, though, the in-text citation does not use a “p.” before the page number. See the example below:

In Milwaukee, poor neighbourhoods were segregated by design (Desmond 2017, 249).

Desmond, Matthew. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City . London: Penguin Books, 2017.

Modern Language Association (MLA) Format

Students of the humanities — including literature, foreign languages, and cultural studies — use MLA style in their research papers. Unlike APA and Chicago style, MLA style does not require students to add a title page. MLA papers also do not include an abstract. Students only need to include the paper itself and a works cited page that corresponds with in-text citations. When adding citations in the body of the text, MLA includes the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses. This style does not list the publication year. You can find an example of MLA citation below:

In Milwaukee, poor neighbourhoods were segregated by design (Desmond 249).

Associated Press (AP) Style

Journalists use Associated Press, or AP style, in their work. AP style standardizes grammar and spelling usage across news media and mass communications. Students rarely use AP style, unless they are writing an article in their subject area for a newspaper or magazine. AP style prioritizes brevity and conciseness above all else. Therefore, it includes several rules that differ from other writing styles. For instance, AP style eliminates the last comma in a list of items (for example: “She dressed in capris, a tank top and sandals”). Since students and professors do not use AP style for academic papers, AP style does not include a reference page like other style guides. Instead, AP style simply uses non-parenthetical in-text citations.

“People who live in low-income communities lack opportunities to exercise,” said Lydia Homerton, professor of public health at Hero College.

The Best Writing Style for Public Health Majors

Professionals in the public health field use APA, the most common style in the social sciences. Professors expect students to use APA style as well. Public health research follows a standardized system of citing sources, making it easier for students and professionals in the field to conduct further research. Students should add a title page and abstract before the essay, as well as a list of references in the back.

Common Writing Mistakes Students Make

Active vs. passive voice.

When writing essays and research papers, students should use active voice and avoid passive voice. Learning the difference between passive and active constructions can be tricky. First of all, students should be able to identify the subject in a sentence. The subject is the noun performing an action. Take this sentence: “The woman catches the keys.” In this case, the woman is the subject of the sentence because she is the one performing the action, catching. The sentence “The woman catches the keys” is active because it focuses on the subject and the action. You can identify an active sentence by checking if the first noun is a subject performing an action.

By contrast, examine this sentence: “The keys were caught by the woman.” The first noun, “keys,” is not performing an action. Instead, it is being acted upon. The subject performing the action — the woman — is at the end of the sentence and not the beginning. This sentence uses passive voice instead of active voice. Some passive sentences do not include a subject at all. For example, “The keys were caught.”

Active voice makes writing more concise and easy to understand. Active sentences often include more information, especially about the subject performing an action. In research papers, students should use active voice whenever possible. However, sometimes it is clear that the author is the one performing the action, so active voice is not necessary. For instance, a researcher might write “the experiment was conducted Friday” instead of “I conducted the experiment Friday.”

Punctuation

Incorrect punctuation confuses readers. The wrong punctuation can change or obfuscate the meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or the entire essay. Publishers, professors, and other researchers often look down on papers with incorrect grammar, even if the content includes important or accurate research. Consequently, students should always use proper grammar in their essays.

The wrong punctuation can change or obfuscate the meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or the entire essay.

While students make many different errors with punctuation, most common errors revolve around colons and commas. Understand the difference between colons and semicolons. Both punctuation marks separate two parts of a sentence. Students should use colons when introducing a list. (“He ate lots of meat: pork, chicken, steak, veal, and duck.”) Colons can also introduce an appositive or new idea. (“She finally gave him the gift: a new computer.”) Semicolons, on the other hand, connect two complete, independent sentences. These sentences should be separate but related. (“He ate a lot of meat; he was ravenous.”)

Students should also take care to avoid comma splices. A comma splice occurs when writers connect two independent sentences using a comma. The following sentence includes a comma splice: “She danced with her boyfriend, he was very clumsy.” Instead, students could add an “and” to connect the two sentences. (“She danced with her boyfriend, and he was very clumsy.”) Alternately, writers could connect the sentences with a semicolon. (“She danced with her boyfriend; he was very clumsy.”) Lastly, writers could separate the two sentences with a period.

Proper grammar helps readers understand your essays. Proper grammar also gives your essay credibility. If you have a perfectly-argued essay, but your paper includes multiple grammar mistakes, the reader will likely be skeptical of the entire argument.

Understand the difference between there/their/they’re. “There” refers to a place. (“The dog is over there.”) Their shows possession. (“This is their house.”) “They’re” is a contraction for “they are.” (“They’re eating at the diner.”)

Also learn the difference between it’s and its. “It’s” is the contraction for “it is.” (“It’s hot outside.”) “Its” shows possession. (“The bird eats in its cage.”)

Make sure your sentences include proper subject-verb agreement. In other words, if the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example, use “The boy and his sisters are eating breakfast” instead of “The boy and his sisters is eating breakfast.”

Writing Resources for Public Health Students

• Guide to Improving Scientific Writing in Public Health : This guide from the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization teaches students how to write about complicated scientific material in a way that’s easy for readers to understand. The guide includes tips on vocabulary and format.
• Argument, Structure, and Credibility in Public Health Writing : Written by a professor at Harvard’s School of Public Health, this essay breaks down how to make effective arguments in public health writing. The page includes flow charts and figures to help illustrate exactly how public health essays should be organized.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab APA Style Guide : Purdue’s Online Writing Lab includes style guides for all writing and citation styles, including APA. The style guides help students understand how to format papers, use in-text citations, and create reference pages.
• Award-Winning Health Articles : One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read good examples. This page lists nine award-winning public health writing samples.
• The Women’s and Children’s Health Policy Center Writing Skills Guide : This website links to several modules on writing public health documents. Lessons include policy briefs and memos.

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10 Public Health Problems of 2021

Since early 2020, our world has been grappling with a devastating global pandemic. The spread of COVID-19 has caused an estimated 2.5 million deaths around the globe. Nearly half a million of those losses were in the United States alone. Even more, the coronavirus has infected roughly 28 million Americans and over 110 million people worldwide. At its worst moments, it has overwhelmed our healthcare facilities and workers. While infectious disease experts continue to learn about new strains and treatment options, the COVID-19 pandemic is a top public health concern of 2021. However, it is not the only one.

Every day, there are health epidemics affecting our populations. Some of these public health concerns have been made even more challenging thanks to COVID-19. While the novel coronavirus continues to take center stage, issues like climate change, opioid abuse, and childhood obesity continue to impact our society. These public health issues have not taken a break during the pandemic. Some have escalated. However, there is good news. Thanks to the advancements of modern medicine and rapid technology, progress is being made. Research is being done. Treatment plans are being implemented, and lives are being saved. Public health professionals are the ones to thank for this improvement.

Whether you have always been interested in making a difference, or the public health problems of our day have inspired you, you may be considering a future in this field of work. Before diving into public health, though, you likely want to know what you can expect both short- and long-term. What types of issues will you tackle in a public health career? Where can you make the most impact? Which demographics are most in need? Whose life can you improve?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) , the following are among the top public health problems of modern day:

1. COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic remains front and center for public health officials. The deadly virus has put the entire world in a state of emergency. The CDC continues to provide guidance on precautions like mask-wearing, social distancing, and other preventative practices. Healthcare professionals have come out of retirement and traveled to areas with high case counts, to help fight this disease. Thanks to the diligent work of scientists and public health researchers, multiple vaccines have been developed and are helping to curb the infection rate. President Biden has also been working to increase the number of vaccines available, and expects all Americans to have access by August 2021 .

2. Mental Health Conditions

One of the many unfortunate side effects of the pandemic has been a decline in our mental health . Quarantines, remote work, and distance learning have impacted people of all ages. With tight restrictions on social gatherings, many people are experiencing severe feelings of isolation and distress. In fact, the rates of depression and anxiety are on the rise, which is largely due to social isolation and loneliness. According to Forbes, 70 percent of teens are currently struggling with mental health issues. 60 percent of youth and adults are not getting the mental health treatment they need. As more people need mental health services, we can expect to see a growing demand for public health and mental health workers.

3. Alcohol & Substance Abuse

Much like mental health, substance abuse is another growing concern. This was among the top public health problems before the pandemic started, but it has only been amplified in the days of self-isolation. Studies report that, since the enactment of stay-at-home orders, suspected overdoses have increased 18 percent. According to the CDC, 40 percent of U.S. adults report struggling with mental health or substance abuse.

Comedian John Mulaney is one example of this growing concern. He made headlines in December of 2020 when he checked into rehab after years of sobriety. The former SNL-writer attributed the recent struggles to the pandemic. Mulaney is certainly not alone.

4. Food Safety

Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food, and 3,000 die from this cause. Due to this constant, potential public health threat, the CDC tracks food borne illnesses and works with the FDA to ensure proper food safety practices. Public health professionals that specialize in food safety and inspection are also in high demand.

5. Healthcare-Associated Infections

We know that hospitals help patients recover and heal from illnesses and injuries, but we don’t always think about the healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that can come from treatment. These can be caused by the devices used in medical procedures, like catheters or ventilators. They can also happen at surgery sites, known as surgical site infections.

While significant progress has been made in preventing some of these HAIs, there is much more work to be done. According to the CDC, on any given day, about 1 in 31 patients has at least one HAI.

6. Heart Disease and Stroke

According to the American Heart Association’s latest findings , heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Experts predict that the broad influence of the COVID-19 pandemic will extend that ranking for years to come. Specifically, they anticipate that the global burden of cardiovascular disease will grow exponentially over the next few years, as part of the evolving long-term effects of coronavirus. Naturally, this means that heart health is among the top public health concerns for physicians and public health workers today.

There have been enormous strides made in the treatment and prevention of HIV, but there are still millions who die each year from HIV/AIDS. As COVID-19 vaccines were being developed in 2020, many health experts warned that vaccines can take years to come to fruition. The most popular comparison was made with the promised vaccine for HIV many years ago. To this day, there is no vaccine that helps prevent the virus or treat those infected. Scientists continue to work to develop an HIV/AIDS vaccine.

According to the WHO, more than 70 million people have contracted the infection since the epidemic first broke out, and about 33 million have died as a result. Today, there are around 38 million people living with HIV who may need support. Approximately 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV in the U.S. today, and about 14 percent of them — that’s 1 in 7 — don’t know it and need testing.

8. Motor Vehicle Injuries

Distracted driving, drunk driving, and vehicle safety are among the top concerns for safety on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . As a result, policies surrounding seatbelt usage, proper car seat installation and usage, and driver’s license testing continue to be ranked among the top public health concerns.

9. Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

Our nutrition and physical activity is another public health issue that has only been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was among the top public health problems before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus — with the CDC reporting obesity effects 93.3 million American adults and more than 13.7 million children — but those numbers will likely grow significantly in the near future. A global study, published in the journal Obesity , found that lockdowns related to the pandemic led to dramatic changes in health behaviors, prompting people around the world to cut back on physical activity and eat more junk foods.

This is a serious health concern for public health professionals, since obesity increases the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes, blood pressure, and heart disease. Obesity is also considered a high-risk factor for COVID-19 .

The good news is that, over the years, the rise of obesity has led to more awareness and education surrounding proper nutrition and physical activity. Public health educators have been paving the way for better nutrition and deepened self-care in communities.

10. Prescription Drug Overdose

The drug overdose epidemic — primarily driven by opioid abuse — has killed more than 750,000 people since 1999. Two out of three of the drug overdose deaths in 2018 involved an opioid. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency and announced a strategy to help combat the problem.

As noted above, experts are seeing a rise in substance abuse and drug overdoses since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Lockdown orders have increased feelings of boredom, which in turn has increased the risk of substance abuse. In addition, with many people at home alone , there is a higher risk of overdosing without anyone knowing or being there to call for help.

You Can Help Tackle These Public Health Problems

If you would like to undertake these public health concerns and make a difference in the lives of others, now is the time. In 2021, the work of public health professionals is needed more than ever before. If you are ready to mask up and step up to help others, you can start right here at Goodwin. Goodwin University offers a bachelor’s degree program , as well as a master’s degree program , in public health. Public health graduates find exciting and rewarding careers, such as:

• Community Health Workers
• Disaster Preparedness Coordinators
• Environmental Health Specialists
• Health Educators
• Health Promotion Specialists
• Public Health Program Coordinators
• Research Assistants
• Disaster and Emergency Specialists
• Public Health Directors (MPH)
• Epidemiologists (MPH)
• Sanitarians (MPH)
• Biostaticians (MPH)

Our public health programs are flexible . Classes are offered days, nights, and weekends, too. Students may choose to study online, on campus, or a hybrid of the two. We understand that working toward a degree does not mean a break in your daily life, so you can work toward your career goals while still maintaining a job and personal obligations.

If you would like to learn more about the Public Health degree programs at Goodwin University, call 800-889-3282, or visit us online to request more information.

Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.

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Essay on Public Health Issues

Students are often asked to write an essay on Public Health Issues in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Public Health Issues

Public health issues.

Public health issues are problems that affect a large number of people in a community. They can be caused by many different things, including infectious diseases, chronic diseases, accidents, and environmental hazards.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They can spread from person to person through contact with an infected person’s body fluids, such as blood, saliva, or urine. Some common infectious diseases include the flu, the common cold, and measles.

Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that can last for months or even years. They include diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Chronic diseases are often caused by lifestyle factors, such as smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

Accidents are sudden, unplanned events that can cause injury or death. They can be caused by many different things, such as falls, car crashes, and fires. Accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States.

Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards are things in the environment that can harm human health. They can include things like air pollution, water pollution, and toxic chemicals. Environmental hazards can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, cancer, and birth defects.

250 Words Essay on Public Health Issues

What are public health issues.

Public health issues are problems that affect many people at the same time. These problems can make people sick, hurt their quality of life, or even cause death. They are big challenges for communities and countries to solve.

Examples of Public Health Issues

One common public health issue is diseases that spread from one person to another, like the flu or COVID-19. Pollution in the air and water can also be a public health issue because it can make people sick. Not having enough food or access to healthy food is another problem that affects people’s health.

Why Public Health Issues Matter

When a lot of people get sick, it can cause big problems for society. For example, if many people are ill and cannot work, schools and businesses might have to close. This can make it hard for a community to function properly. Also, treating these health problems can cost a lot of money, which can be a burden for families and governments.

Solving Public Health Issues

To fix these problems, everyone needs to work together. Governments can make laws to control pollution and make sure people have access to healthcare. Communities can support each other by sharing information about how to stay healthy. Everyone can do their part by getting vaccinated, eating healthy foods, and keeping their environment clean.

Public health issues are big challenges, but by understanding them and working together, we can make our world a healthier place for everyone.

500 Words Essay on Public Health Issues

What is public health.

Public health focuses on protecting and improving the health of people and communities, and preventing illness, injury, and premature death. Public health aims to create the conditions for people to be healthy and focus on the distribution of health resources so that everyone can enjoy the highest possible level of health.

Why is Public Health Important?

Public health is essential for creating a healthy and productive society. By promoting healthy behaviors, preventing diseases, and creating safe environments, public health helps people live longer, healthier lives. Public health programs and policies can help reduce health disparities and improve the overall well-being of a population.

Common Public Health Issues

Some of the most common public health issues include:

• Infectious diseases: These are diseases caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Infectious diseases can spread from person to person through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects.
• Chronic diseases: These are diseases that last for a long time and can be controlled, but not cured. Examples of chronic diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
• Environmental hazards: These are things in our environment that can harm our health, such as air pollution, water pollution, and toxic chemicals.
• Unhealthy behaviors: These are behaviors that can increase our risk of developing diseases, such as smoking, unhealthy eating, and physical inactivity.

How Can We Improve Public Health?

There are many things that can be done to improve public health. Some of these include:

• Promoting healthy behaviors: We can encourage people to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and avoid risky behaviors, such as smoking and excessive drinking.
• Preventing diseases: We can prevent diseases by vaccinating people, providing clean water and sanitation, and promoting good hygiene practices.
• Creating safe environments: We can create safe environments by reducing air pollution, improving water quality, and removing hazardous chemicals from our environment.
• Addressing health disparities: We can address health disparities by providing more resources to underserved communities and working to eliminate the root causes of health disparities.

Public health is essential for creating a healthy and productive society. By working together, we can improve public health and create a healthier world for everyone.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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• Sample Essays
• The Public Health Student

What if people lived healthier lives, practiced preventive medicine, and took precautions against illness and disease? My days in the physical therapy department often made me think about the prevention of injuries as well as the injuries themselves. I was already doubting my future career choice as a physical therapist. Although I loved the science of it and helping people, the lack of variety within the field and its limited options for growth bothered me. I needed a career that helped a large number of people, emphasized prevention and primary care rather than tertiary care, and would continually challenge and motivate me to improve. Knowing that I really did not want to pursue physical therapy as I had originally planned, my thoughts wandered to the area of public health, particularly health management.

My first true introduction to the public health arena came in a class offered through the Big U School of Public Health. As I listened to experts speak about contemporary health issues, I was intrigued. The world of "capitation," "rationing of care," and Medicaid fascinated me as I saw the range of problems that public health professionals were trying to solve in innovative ways. This one semester class provided me with a basic but thorough understanding of the issues faced in health care today. In the last two years I have continued to learn about public health both through coursework and work in the field.

Because field experience is such a valuable learning tool, I searched for a research assistant position that would allow me to view public health at a different level. I worked on a project at a county health clinic in Englewood, a low-income, minority community. The program attempted to increase treatment compliance rates for adolescents diagnosed with tuberculosis who must complete a six-month medical program. Working for the county exposed me to a different side of health care that I had previously seen. Service and organization were not assets of the county and yet its role in the public health "ecosystem" was and is critical. Its job of immunizing thousands and interacting with all members of the community is often forgotten, but is important for keeping an entire community healthy.

My work at the county health clinic as well as my knowledge of some areas of public health led me to accept an internship in Washington D.C. this past summer. The internship provided me with a greater understanding of a federal public health agency’s operations and allowed me to contribute in a variety of ways to the XYZ Department in which I worked. Most importantly I worked on "policy issues" which involved identifying and summarizing problems that were out of the ordinary as well as documenting resolved issues in order to establish protocols to increase the department’s efficiency. In addition I served on a scientific review panel which was responsible for editing a seventy-page proposed regulation before its submission.

Along with my duties at XYZ, I attended seminars and met with public health leaders at different functions and events. All these activities confirmed my growing interest in preventive medicine, outcomes and effectiveness, and quality of care, particularly within the private/managed care sector. These are my strongest interests because I believe they are fundamental to our nation’s health. We must achieve efficiency and access without sacrificing quality.

The University of ____ would help me achieve my goals of furthering my public health education through the specialized coursework offered as part of its health administration program. [The client provides specifics here about the program’s specific appeal and strengths]

Since rejecting physical therapy as a career possibility my interest in public health has only grown. I welcome the challenge of serving a large community and participating in such a dynamic and challenging field. What if an aspirin a day could prevent heart attacks? What if abandoning unnecessary procedures saved thousands of dollars, which then allowed a hospital to treat other patients needing care? What if every person was guaranteed care and that care was good? I would like to find answers for these questions during my career as a public health graduate student and professional.

Other Sample Essays

Public Health Essay Sample

Public health is a discipline that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. This includes an understanding of how to create healthy environments for people to live in, as well as preventative measures to keep them from getting sick. In recent years there has been a shift from traditional public health programs focusing on individual behaviors, such as smoking cessation or obesity management, towards one that also incorporates community-wide approaches. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) defines public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human welfare.”

Essay Sample On Public Health

• Thesis Statement – Public Health Essay
• Introduction – Public Health Essay
• Main Body – Public Health Essay
• Conclusion – Public Health Essay

Thesis Statement – Public Health Essay Public health in a society is getting disturbed due to expensive healthcare treatment and lack of awareness about the health-related problems of poor people. Introduction – Public Health Essay The plight of poor people in developing economies is very miserable especially when we observe them in context to their health. The public is going through several healthcare problems that they cannot overcome due to the lack of money and general awareness about the health problems. Those who are aware of them cannot afford the expensive health checkups. As a result of which the poor public is supposed to accept the fact that they have no right to live and get healthcare facilities like that of rich people of the society. Here we will discuss the different facts related to the loopholes and reasons that are responsible for poor public health and at the same time solutions will also be suggested to get rid of these issues from society. Get Non-Plagiarized Custom Essay on Public Health in USA Order Now Main Body – Public Health Essay Cause of poor public health in undeveloped economies of the world The major cause of lack of health facilities in poor countries can be given to the low funds from the government to improve the health of the common public. Social welfare is very crucial in poor countries that the government have to look after and most of the budget gets divided into various social welfare schemes. As a result of which the grant that is received for the health care sector is not sufficient to fulfill the needs of health facilities in a better way. Owing to these reasons many people have to die unnatural death in such places. On the contrary, no such plight can be seen in the developed countries of the world where people are well off from their pocket to avail the medical treatment for any diseases. Drawbacks of the poor health of masses in a given country When the population of a country is suffering from various health problems it is very difficult for the nation to grow in any aspect of development. For example, people with ill health cannot contribute their part to the gross domestic products of the country. At the same time, the morale of the other people at the workplace also dies off when two or three people are showing their lazy behavior. So we can say that a nation with poor health also remains poor on economic grounds and it is very important to deal with this drastic problem on time. Problems faced by the people to acquire health care treatment When there is no money in the pocket it becomes difficult to go for the expensive treatment in the healthcare sector. Doctors are charging very high fees and at the same time, healthcare facilities are also not affordable to the common man. More the government’s initiative to give social healthcare facilities to the poor people is a mere show off in front of the public. In reality, there is no such provision that help these poor to avail the of better treatment for their ailments. That is why most people fail to come out of their illness for their entire life. How to eradicate the problem of miserable healthcare facilities in poor nations? Talking about the solutions that can help people to deal with their problems related to their health in countries where no social welfare for health is available few actions can be taken. For example, we can try the social responsibility of the and other healthcare providers to serve for the welfare of poor people on a part-time basis after their working hours. This is the most genuine and practical solution which can work at all levels of doctors and nurses are ready to devote their time as social responsibility. Rich people can open trusts and charitable hospitals to provide free health care solutions to those who cannot afford it even after trying their best. That is how we can make a crucial step towards a world free from health-related problems. International health conventions should also look after this matter to come up with genuine solutions for the people. Buy Customized Essay on Public Health At Cheapest Price Order Now Conclusion – Public Health Essay The conclusion can be drawn from the above essay that poor public health can ruin the life of people without proper treatment for their ailments. At the same time, the essay gives us various ideas to overcome the issue of the miserable health of the public in countries that are low on economic grounds. Well, you can also draw an idea from the essay that how the poor health of the citizens in a given country affects the growth of the economy to great extent in that specific nation. To cap it all we can say that every effort must be given to solve the problem of lingering health scenarios in countries having less awareness about the importance of healthy citizens. Hire USA Experts for Public Health Essay Order Now

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Public Health Challenges in India: Seizing the Opportunities

Jai prakash narain.

Global Health International Advisers and former Director, Communicable Diseases/SDE, WHO/SEARO, New Delhi, India

India is presently in a state of transition — economically, demographically, and epidemiologically — in terms of health. While the last decade has seen remarkable economic development particularly in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate,( 1 ) unfortunately this progress is accompanied by growing disparities between the rich and the poor. There is strong evidence to suggest that this income inequality or disparity between the different socioeconomic classes is associated with worse health outcomes.( 2 ) Widening the gap between the rich and the poor has damaging health and social consequences. While financial inclusion and social security measures are being implemented by the Government to bridge economic inequalities, health sector too must ensure that health disparities between and among social and economic classes are also addressed adequately.

The unprecedented demographic changes underway are likely to contribute to a substantially increased labor force. However, it will benefit the country only if the population is healthy. The country at present suffers from the triple burden of disease — the unfinished agenda of infectious diseases; the challenge of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), linked with lifestyle changes; and emergence of new pathogens causing epidemics and pandemics. In addition, the health infrastructure is already over-stretched and needs to be strengthened to enable it confront these challenges in the twenty-first century.

The Health Challenges

In health sector, India has made enormous strides over the past decades. The life expectancy has crossed 67 years, infant and under-five mortality rates are declining as is the rate of disease incidence. Many diseases, such as polio, guinea worm disease, yaws, and tetanus, have been eradicated.

In spite of this progress, the communicable diseases is expected to continue to remain a major public health problem in the coming decades posing a threat to both national and international health security.( 3 ) Besides endemic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, the communicable disease outbreaks will continue to challenge public health, requiring high level of readiness in terms of early detection and rapid response. In this regard, vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and acute encephalitis syndrome, are of particular concern. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest health challenges facing humanity that must be tackled with all seriousness.

In addition, non-communicable diseases or NCDs are now the leading cause of death in the country, contributing to 60% of deaths.( 4 , 5 ) Four diseases namely heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic pulmonary diseases contribute nearly 80% of all deaths due to NCDs and they share four common risk factors namely tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activities.

Also of significant concern is the maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate (IMR) remain unacceptably high. The IMR, which was 81 in 1990, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), declined to 41.4 per 1,000 live births in 2013.( 6 ) However, it still is much higher than the global average for the same period of 33.6 per 1,000 live births (World Health Statistics 2015). According to the sample registration system (SRS) report of Oct 2015, the IMR is now 40 per 1,000 live births.( 7 ) As already stated, the mortality rates are declining but the rate of decline remains relatively slow, compared to that being achieved by other South Asian neighbors, with exception of Pakistan.

The epidemiological transition is, in fact, being fueled by the social and economic determinants of health and by some old and some new risk factors such as globalization, unplanned and unregulated urbanization, changing life styles, environmental causes (e.g., climate change and air pollution), and increasing influence of media and advertising. Moreover, great disparities between the rich and poor (and between those living in urban and rural areas) in access to health services continue to exist in the society. For example, the poorest of the poor and the most marginalized sections of the society are not only at a greater risk for communicable and NCDs, but are also least able to cope with the diseases resulting from these risk factors. If someone in the family gets sick, the family often gets trapped in poverty, partly due to the high cost of health care. The health-care system is also overstretched.

Opportunities for a Health Reform in the Twenty-First Century

Given the centrality of health in economic development, a paradigm shift in our approach is needed. The following are some suggestions for consideration:

First, investing more in health and recognizing disease prevention and health promotion as the topmost priority. Consequently, government health expenditure on health should increase from 1.3% of GDP at present to at least 2.5% before the end of 13 th Five-Year Plan (2013-19). Presently, India has one of the lowest allocations to health among all countries of the world as percentage of GDP. As a result of such a low investment in health and due to high out-of-pocket expenditure (85.6% which according to the World Bank is among the highest in the world),( 8 ) nearly 60 million people are pushed further into poverty and into the poverty trap from that they are unable to escape.

Of the total health budget allocation for health, at least 80% of the fund should be earmarked for disease prevention, health promotion, and improving the quality of health services at the primary care level. The new health policy should lay stress on the concept of health as the people's right and make it mandatory to protect health budget at all times including the time of financial crisis. Based on the national health policy, each states should develop a state health policy and drive innovation in program implementation and finding solutions to its health problems.

Second, health system should be strengthened to improve the process of service delivery. In order to make the health services responsive to the need of the community, it is necessary to improve the functioning of the existing government health infrastructure. This can be done in three steps as follows:First, the assessment of existing public health system and facilities, bringing improvements based on the findings of the assessment including augmented human and material resources, and monitoring their performance and fixing accountability in a systematic manner, by setting targets and trying to achieve them through a comprehensive and integrated approach, with full involvement of the community. Improved access to government health services, which are used primarily by the poor and the disadvantaged sections of the society, will go a long way in achieving better health outcomes.

For efficient and effective delivery of services, an efficient public-health workforce is key. India has one of the lowest density of health workforce; with density of physicians (7 per 10 000 population) and nurses (17.1 per 10 000 population) as against the global average of 13.9 and 28.6 respectively (World Health Statistics, 2015). The nurses-to-physicians ratio in India is about 0.6:1, as against the nurses-to-physicians ratio of 3:1 in some of the developed countries. The issue is very serious, particularly in the rural areas,( 9 ) as most doctors and hospital beds are concentrated in urban areas catering to only 20% of the India's population. Public health planners should make all efforts to fill vacant posts through efficient recruitments, and build skill of the existing staff through training activities and by creating enabling environment including adequate facilities for health workers to stay in rural areas. To enhance skill training activities, health can leverage with and benefit from the national skill development mission launched by the Prime Minister in August 2015.

Third, focusing on evidence, excellence, and equity. An evidence-based policy-making requires data on disease burden and the associated determinants. Focus should be on strengthening a widespread research and innovation culture through out the country and generating homegrown data, obtained through surveillance, research, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E), so that these data can be used for policy and strategy development, priority setting, and evaluating the impact.

Ëmphasizing on excellence is crucial to ensure quality in service provision and in program planning and implementation, especially to ensure that health services are responsive to the needs of the community and are provided efficiently and effectively.

Addressing equity is fundamental because the purpose of public health should be the welfare of the weakest and most vulnerable section of the society. In this regard, the priority should be given to understanding the barriers to equitable access, integrating equity goals in policy and programs, and targeting resources and efforts to reach the poor and vulnerable sections of the society with the needed services. By improving program efficiency, performance and reach, these three “Es” can indeed shape the future of public health in India.

Fourth, leveraging technology to transform public health. Modern technology has great potential in bringing efficiency in service delivery and enhancing the reach of the health services. It can, for example, connect remote areas with national centers of excellence or patients in villages with doctors in hospitals in urban areas through audio or video conferencing. The government is already establishing a network of telemedicine services, mother and child tracking system of weekly voice messages to pregnant women and new mothers, web-based TB registration scheme called Nikshay, and planning mobile app for the training of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. Space research is another area to explore.

Mobile technology holds great promise especially due to its ubiquitous nature. With more than one billion mobile users in the country, the mobile phones offer tremendous opportunities in efficient health service delivery which include: 1) ensuring treatment adherence by sending sms text messages to patients with diabetes or HIV/AIDS reminding them to take their treatment, 2) quick reporting of cases during outbreaks or epidemics, 3) alerting next level of health services regarding emergency situation such as difficult or complicated labor in a remote rural area, or 4) informing populations and creating awareness about emerging health issues or health programs. The internet connectivity is presently being used to enhance e-governance and making patient consultations with experts such a teleophthalmology in Tripura and teleradiology in Assam.( 10 , 11 ) In addition, low-smoke stoves can help reduce indoor pollution and respiratory infections, and the use of point-of-care diagnostic methods, such as a lab in a suitcase for diagnosis in areas where such facilities do not exist, can be of great help. These examples show that technology already available can enhance the quality and efficiency of the services, and this should be expanded and scaled up rapidly, in order to make health services available and accessible for the people living in geographically remote areas.

Finally, empowering health leadership and governance. It is now clear that most of the risk factors for ill health lie outside of health sector. Therefore, action to combat these risk factors requires an intersectoral and interdisciplinary approach. For a country that has a vibrant civil society and private health sector and an advanced pharmaceutical and biotechnological research capacity, these attributes should be leveraged for the benefit of public health. Besides policy, the programs also should have inbuilt mechanism to ensure transparency and fix accountability.

Uniquely, the role of the government is to formulate policies, plan services, and coordinate activities. It also has a mobilizing and facilitating roles. It should reach out to the sectors other than health sector to develop a consensus on national policies and to build partnership between different sectors for better service delivery based on the comparative advantages of each relevant sector, namely private medical sector (to follow national policies ad treatment protocols), including corporate hospitals (to provide subsidized care to the poor), nongovernmental organization particularly based in the community (for advocacy and service provision), academia and medical colleges, and research organizations (in research and innovation). The self-help groups and cooperative societies, such as Amul, are also contributing to healthcare through innovative approaches.

Private sector can also support the health promotion and disease prevention activities under public–private partnership and through the corporate social responsibility initiatives. Engaging them in a creative and positive manner as partners for health action coordinated by the government can go a long way in addressing health challenges in the next decade and beyond.

Public Health Issues

Despite advanced medicine, the healthcare system remains one of the main problems in the United States. The unaffordable prices that taxpayers and the state are forced to spend on medical services do not ensure population health. Health care is regularly touched upon at the national leadership level and considered the prioritized topic. This paper aims to analyze the factors that hinder public health progress in the United States.

Insurance is believed to be one of the main barriers to affordable public health. According to statistics, more than 27 million Americans live without health insurance (US Census Bureau, 2019). Moreover, its presence does not mean guaranteed access to quality medical services. The median cost of visiting an emergency room in the country equals $ 1,265 (Hargraves & Kennedy, 2019). Thus, high costs of medicine, clearly not affordable to all families, do not encourage the population’s health.

The urgent problem of increasing the efficiency of health care is reflected in mortality rates. Life expectancy has been declining in the United States over the past three years due to the rise in mortality among middle-aged Americans (Woolf & Schoomaker, 2019). All this suggests that the United States will find it difficult to do without new reforms in the health sector in the nearest time.

Public health starts from local communities such as Miami Dade County. Therefore, local health organizations should be aware of their society’s specific needs. Since healthcare proves to be expensive for citizens, preventive measures might be the starting point for improving public health. For example, local employers may be encouraged to adopt wellness programs for employees. Healthy lifestyle promotion via local television and public services will also be of help. Thus, the main direction of any region’s modern socio-economic development should be to ensure a high quality of life, one of the components of the population health factor.

Hargraves, J., & Kennedy, K. (2019). 10 years of emergency room spending for the commercially insured . Health Care Cost Institute. Web.

US Census Bureau. (2019). Health insurance coverage in the United States: 2018 . Web.

Woolf, S. H., & Schoomaker, H. (2019). Life expectancy and mortality rates in the United States, 1959-2017. JAMA, 322 (20), 1-15. Web.

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Analysis of Obesity as a Public Health Concern Essay

Introduction.

The problem of obesity is recognized by the modern medical community as an epidemic in American society. The goal of public health should be to effectively combat this phenomenon by understanding and addressing its causes. A proposed initiative to change the situation is to raise awareness of the problem among children and adolescents. An integrated approach aimed at changing the behavioral habits of the population from an early age will achieve a long-term effect of reducing the morbidity of obesity.

Obesity is a common health problem caused by genetic factors and a person’s lifestyle. Excessive caloric intake in Americans and a decrease in exercise have led to about 35% of the adult population being obese (Kirkwood, 2018). Obesity is diagnosed with a body mass index greater than 30 (Kirkwood, 2018). The morbidity of obesity is high, but mortality is mainly associated with the occurrence of associated health problems: cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Morbidity and mortality ratings are used to determine the severity of the health issue; in the case of obesity, the increasing morbidity of the disease should be the main concern.

Epidemiological Transition and Evidence-Based Public Health

The mission of public health is to provide an environment in which people can be healthy. Public health has three main functions: monitoring the health of the population and identifying problems and priorities, developing policies to address identified problems, and ensuring access to healthcare (Kirkwood, 2018). Evidence-based public health focuses on reasonable decision-making and data evaluation. In the case of the fight against obesity, this approach is characterized by the search and application of new effective medicinal, surgical, and social methods. The epidemiological transition involves a change in the nature of the disease and the causes of death under the influence of a complex of factors. Since economic and social factors have provoked a sharp increase in morbidity, obesity can be called a disease with a sharp epidemiological transition. Taking this factor into account, it is necessary to develop a strategy that can be quickly put into action. Evidence-based public health allows the development of a detailed plan, as many of the solutions to improve the well-being of the population in relation to the obesity epidemic have already been taken. By taking into account the effectiveness of the actions taken, a better plan can be developed to address the problem.

The main problem is not obesity per se, but the resulting comorbidities and the prevalence of this health problem. The obesity epidemic in the United States is a public health concern (Kirkwood, 2018). Over the past 50 years, the incidence of obesity in the US has increased by 250% (Kirkwood, 2018). Childhood obesity is also becoming a serious problem, in which children suffer from stigmatization and similar social problems. Obesity in most patients is caused by a combination of factors favored by lifestyle changes and genetic predisposition. Obesity can reduce the quality and length of life, and provoke the development of cancer and diabetes (Kirkwood, 2018). Addressing this public health problem is complicated by the peculiarities of obesity treatment, which is associated with the need to eliminate the factors of overeating and drastically change lifestyle.

Obesity is caused by a combination of factors that leads to the formation and maintenance of an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is a problem that can be caused by genetic factors, but socioeconomic causes play a much more significant role in the occurrence of this condition. Obesity is associated with low socioeconomic status, which encourages people to choose cheaper and higher-calorie foods (Kirkwood, 2018). Modern technology often uses concentrated sugars in production, and trans fats exacerbate this trend (Kirkwood, 2018). Another factor that influences the increase in the incidence of obesity among the population is stress, which provokes overeating. Thus, obesity is a complex problem caused by social, economic, behavioral, and genetic factors.

Recommendation

The problem of obesity in the medical community has long been recognized. Measures to combat the obesity epidemic include a combination of addressing the causative factors of the disease. Over the past decades, more drugs with proven effectiveness for the treatment of obesity have appeared (Kirkwood, 2018). The surgical approach of fat removal and gastric bypass is also spreading, which has the prospect of long-term preservation of the result (Kirkwood, 2018). New dietary approaches are being developed that are often aimed at short-term results. Modern health policy is exploring the possibility of reducing sales of high-calorie meals and reducing portions in restaurants (Kirkwood, 2018). However, all these measures are not complete without focusing on long-term results and changing people’s behavioral attitudes.

An effective recommendation for the fight against obesity is the additional education of people and society as a whole. The level of awareness about the problems of obesity is high, but still not enough for a significant number of people to change their lifestyle. It is proposed to focus on the medical rather than the aesthetic side of the issue, despite the fact that obese people are still stigmatized. It is necessary to focus on children and adolescents who are beginning to form their eating habits. Additional classes in schools and colleges aimed at increasing the popularity of a healthy lifestyle can significantly affect the situation with obesity. Significant results can bring screening procedures to identify a predisposition to obesity. In newborn children, this may be the correlation of the body mass index with the body mass indices of the biological parents. By raising awareness of the possibility of a problem, parents and medical staff will be able to organize a set of preventive measures.

Implementation

The implementation of the recommendation to combat obesity should be based on an integrated approach. Firstly, it is necessary to address the need for change to the stakeholders and assess the resources to carry out the initiative. Health professionals may be given special time to provide lectures in schools and colleges. It is necessary to develop a detailed program that can inspire children and adolescents the desire to follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle. The educational program should encourage interest, not cause fear and rejection. It is necessary to empirically determine the number of lectures needed to indicate all topics and answers to questions. Screening techniques should be introduced in every medical organization and become a common practice.

A full-scale assessment of the effectiveness of the recommendation can be achieved in a few years by measuring incidence rates. Mortality is not a reliable criterion, since in the case of obesity it is achieved by a combination of factors and is not always measurable. The best indicator of effectiveness can be surveys of schoolchildren and students. Questionnaires may include questions about awareness of the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce the intake of high-calorie foods. A timely evaluation of the effectiveness will help adapt the initiative to the understanding of the audience.

The problem of obesity is widespread in American society and requires close public health attention. The proposed initiative aims to address the behavioral causes of obesity. Raising awareness at a younger age will lead to healthy eating habits and reduce the risk of obesity in adulthood. Screening for predisposition to obesity will allow preventive measures to be taken. A comprehensive approach to the problem of obesity is expected to reduce the incidence and improve the quality of life of Americans.

Kirkwood, B. (2018). Public Health 101, 3 rd edition . Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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