Rx Outreach Celebrates National Public Health Week

What is Public Health and How It Relates to Prescriptions

Public Health is defined as “the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious diseases” (American Public Health Association, n.d.).

While public health has been around for years, it has been in the spotlight since the covid-19 pandemic. Here are a few other areas of public health that may sound familiar:

• Monitoring and Vaccination: Public health tracks disease outbreaks and conducts vaccination drives to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, like how organizations such as the CDC work.
• Safety Regulations: It provides safety standards that protect workers in various industries, such as to the roles played by OSHA.
• Nutritional Programs: Public health develops nutritional programs in schools to ensure children have access to healthy meals, mirroring the efforts seen in federal school lunch programs.
• Legislative Advocacy: It advocates for laws that protect public safety, such as regulations on smoking in public places and mandatory seatbelt use, as seen in state and local government initiatives.
• Violence Prevention: Public health efforts include strategies to prevent violence, including gun violence through community programs and advocacy.
• Environmental Health: It addresses health problems related to environmental and climate changes.
• Social Justice: Public health recognizes and acts on social determinants of health, including declaring racism as a public health crisis.
• Affordable Medications: Our very own Rx Outreach exemplifies public health in action by providing affordable medications, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent access to necessary treatments.

Public health is working everywhere, often behind the scenes to ensure equitable health for all!

The Role of Prescriptions in Public Health:

Prescriptions are a cornerstone of public health, treating illnesses, managing chronic conditions, and preventing disease spread. Affordable access to these medications is crucial for overall community well-being and health equity. This access ensures treatment adherence, reduces hospitalization, and improves public health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations facing financial constraints.

Challenges at the Intersection of Public Health and Prescriptions:

Despite the vital role of prescriptions, significant challenges persist, including rising drug costs, insurance complexities, and disparities in access across different communities. Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies to ensure equitable access to affordable medications for all individuals. Solutions like telemedicine and prescription assistance programs are vital in bridging these gaps and fostering a healthier, more equitable society. These solutions improve medication adherence, reduce healthcare costs, and promote better health outcomes, strengthening the public health infrastructure and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life.

The Future of Public Health and Prescription Medicine:

Connecting public health principles with prescription medicine is crucial. Future strategies must prioritize affordability, accessibility, and equity to improve health outcomes for all populations. This includes using technology, fostering collaboration, and advocating for policies that support medication, access, and adherence. By addressing these key areas, we can build a healthier and more equitable future for everyone. Tell us how you’re celebrating public health week and what public health means to you!

References:

American Public Health Association. (n.d.). What is public health? Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/what-is-public-health

Azari, Razieh, and Borisch, Bettina (2023). What is public health? A scoping review. Archives of Public Health, 81(1)https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01091-6

CDC Foundation. (n.d.). What is public health? Retrieved from https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health