Population Perspective Theme

Population Perspective Theme
27.9.05

A framework of seven questions for taking a ‘public health view’:

1. What public health issues are raised by this problem?
Is the problem present for the public's health?
What 'case' definitions are being used?
The Acheson definition of Public Health: "The science and art of preventing disease, and prolonging and promoting health through the organised effort of society.

2. How does this problem affect the population?
Who? When? Where? By how much? Why?
Epidemiology: distribution and determinants of disease in human populations.
What data? What data handling?

3. What are the health needs of the population in relation to this problem?
Epidemiological profile; comparative; corporate.
With people, want and demand are not the same thing.

4. How can the burden of the problem be reduced?
Health education.
Health protection - using legal and fiscal measures.
Disease prevention
-Primary (before)
-Secondary (early stages)
-Tertiary (eradication/rehabilitation)

5. How should health (and other) services be organised and delivered to address this problem?
NHS: "Our Healthier Nation," "The NHS Plan."

6. What are the main research and development issues raised by the problem?
What works?
How do we know?
How robust?
Evidence used in practise?
What gaps?

7. What are the main public health implications of this problem?