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| By Alan C. Woodward, M.D. Both as individuals and as communities, we face some ominous threats to our public health. Bird flu, toxic waste, SARS, water and air pollution, sexually transmitted diseases, and terrorism are just some of the dangers affecting people of all ages. The good news is that we have lots of hard-working, dedicated people looking out for our health and well-being: from the World Health Organization fighting the spread of disease on a global scale, to the US Centers for Disease Control protecting Americans from chronic illness and environmental threats, to our own state Department of Public Health promoting health through education and prevention. At the community level, local boards of health oversee health conditions from sanitation to immunization. Add to the list the many community groups, private and professional organizations, universities and elected officials all addressing health and safety issues that affect our citizens. So the line of public health advocates and watchdogs is long, and that's good, because the list of public health threats is long and varied, and we face new dangers all the time. What distinguishes public health from other areas of health care is that, first, it focuses on the well-being of populations (from the individual to the world's population) and communities (be they cities, states or nations) and second, it emphasizes prevention for safety and health. In essence, it's ensuring that the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and everything else we interact with are safe and healthy for us. And while public health concerns are primarily the responsibility of organizations or agencies, the role of the individual is absolutely critical to our public health. So what is our individual responsibility in public health? What can you and I as citizens do? Here are my basic recommendations and reminders. Take good care of yourself. This is the most important thing an individual can do. If we as individuals are healthy, the public is healthy. Don't engage in risky behavior, like smoking, drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, unprotected sex, driving to endanger, or overeating to obesity. Exercise regularly, get appropriate immunizations, and protect all of your senses, especially your eyes and ears. Take good care of others. Encourage these same healthy behaviors in your family, neighbors, friends and community. Be especially mindful of how your behavior affects others. Treat the environment kindly. Air and water pollution from toxic materials, like mercury and lead paint, are major causes of public health ills. Recycle appropriately, and properly dispose of toxic products like paints or cleaning agents. Keep your home and yard and the places you visit clean and safe to prevent injury and disease. Protect yourself from insects like mosquitoes and ticks, which could carry disease. Work to prevent violence. No one should be hit, hurt, threatened, or made to feel afraid. Teach young people peaceful ways to resolve disputes. Support efforts to reduce and eliminate domestic violence, elder and child neglect and abuse, including shaken baby syndrome. Monitor what children watch on television or the computer to reduce exposure to violent or inappropriate programming. Be alert to potential threats. Be aware of your surroundings and learn what actions to take if, for example, you see toxic waste, rabid wildlife, or violent behavior. Remember that public health is not just someone else's responsibility. Get involved in public health activities in your community. Each of us, as citizens, has an important role to play in preserving the public health of our fellow citizens and thus improving the common health of our Commonwealth. Alan C. Woodward, M.D., Past President of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Advisor to its Public Health Committee, is Chief of Emergency Services at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Physician Focus is provided as a public service by the Massachusetts Medical Society. Readers should use their own judgment when seeking medical care and consult with their physician for treatment. Comments are welcome at PhysicianFocus@mms.org. For more information, visit www.massmed.org. |