Challenges of Public Health Functions
CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC HEALTH CORE FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA
BY
DR. OLAWEPO, OLATAYO, A.
PH. 10,273
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA
MAY 2012
INTRODUCTION
C.E.A Winslow, one of the leading figures in the history of public health, in 1920, defined public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through organized community efforts”1.
THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The three core public health functions are:
1. Assessment and monitoring of health of communities and populations at risk to identify health problems and priorities. • Monitor health status to identify community health problems • Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community • Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services.
2. Formulation of public policies designed to solve identified local and national health problems and priorities • Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. • Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. • Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
3. To assure that all populations have access to appropriate and cost-effective care including health promotion services and evaluation of effectiveness of that care. • Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. • Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce • Inform, educate and empower people about health issues. • Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems2.
CHALLENGES
The challenges of these public health functions and performance in Nigeria are now hereby considered vis-à-vis the stated
BY
DR. OLAWEPO, OLATAYO, A.
PH. 10,273
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA
MAY 2012
INTRODUCTION
C.E.A Winslow, one of the leading figures in the history of public health, in 1920, defined public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through organized community efforts”1.
THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The three core public health functions are:
1. Assessment and monitoring of health of communities and populations at risk to identify health problems and priorities. • Monitor health status to identify community health problems • Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community • Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services.
2. Formulation of public policies designed to solve identified local and national health problems and priorities • Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. • Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. • Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
3. To assure that all populations have access to appropriate and cost-effective care including health promotion services and evaluation of effectiveness of that care. • Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. • Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce • Inform, educate and empower people about health issues. • Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems2.
CHALLENGES
The challenges of these public health functions and performance in Nigeria are now hereby considered vis-à-vis the stated