A framework for core functions in public health

Public health, with its emphasis on health improvement and the prevention of disease, disability and injury, provides the base upon which a 21st century health system must be built.3 Fundamentally, public health shares the same goals as the rest of the health care system, namely to reduce premature death and to reduce the pain, suffering and the loss of enjoyment and quality of life that is associ [...] A Framework for Core Functions in Public Health – Resource Document Page 3 of 103 Population Health and Wellness, Ministry of Health Services There is now a substantial body of evidence of the effectiveness of public health interventions to promote health and prevent disease, disability, and injury. [...] Also of relevance is the role of the Ministry of Health Services to “give health promotion and prevention activities a higher priority both as a means of improving the health and wellness of British Columbians, and as the means of creating a more sustainable system for the future.” 2.2 Public Health Renewal The Ministry of Health Services acts as a steward of the health system. [...] Public health is effective in its fundamental tasks of reducing A Framework for Core Functions in Public Health – Resource Document Page 6 of 103 Population Health and Wellness, Ministry of Health Services the burden of disease, disability, and injury and improving the overall health and well-being of the people of British Columbia. [...] As an approach, population health Population Health and Public Health focuses on the interrelated Population Health refers to the health of the population as measured by health status indicators, and as influenced by social, conditions and factors that economic and physical environments, personal health practices, influence the health of populations individual capacity and coping skills, human bio