Pandemic Module – Principles of Public

Health Administration

Dr. U. Sarath Kumar

Senior Resident
Dept. of Community Medicine
SSSMCRI

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Introduction
• Definition: Public health administration refers to the
management, leadership, and oversight of public health
programs and initiatives designed to prevent disease and
promote health among populations.
• Importance in society: It plays a crucial role in maintaining and
improving public health, reducing health disparities, and
ensuring access to essential health services.
• Goals and objectives: Key goals include promoting healthy
lifestyles, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and
responding to public health emergencies.

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Core Functions of Public Health
1. Assessment
• Monitoring health status: Regularly collecting, analyzing, and
interpreting health data to identify community health problems.
• Diagnosing and investigating health problems: Identifying
outbreaks and other health hazards and determining their causes.
2. Policy Development
• Informing, educating, and empowering people: Providing accurate
health information and promoting health education campaigns.
• Mobilizing community partnerships: Engaging stakeholders from
various sectors to address health issues collaboratively.
• Developing policies: Formulating public health policies and
regulations to protect and improve health.

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Core Functions of Public Health

3. Assurance
• Enforcing laws and regulations: Ensuring compliance with health
laws to safeguard public health.
• Linking people to needed health services: Connecting individuals
with healthcare services, especially underserved populations.
• Ensuring a competent public health workforce: Training and
maintaining a skilled public health workforce.

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Principles of Public Health Administration

1. Focus on Prevention
Importance: Preventing diseases and health problems before
they occur is more effective and cost-efficient than treating
them after they emerge.
2. Equity and Social Justice
Ensuring fair access: All individuals should have equal access
to healthcare services, regardless of socio-economic status.
3. Evidence-based Decision Making
Using data: Decisions should be guided by reliable data and
scientific evidence to ensure effective outcomes.

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Principles of Public Health Administration

4. Collaboration
Working together: Public health initiatives often require
cooperation among different sectors, such as government,
healthcare, education, and business.
5. Continuous Improvement
Adapting strategies: Public health programs should be
regularly evaluated and improved based on outcomes and
emerging challenges.

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Key Public Health Strategies

Surveillance
Collecting and analyzing health data: Continuous monitoring
of health trends to detect and respond to health threats.
Health Promotion
Education and awareness programs: Initiatives aimed at
encouraging healthy behaviors through information and
resources.
Policy Advocacy
Influencing public policies: Engaging in advocacy to shape
policies that promote public health, such as tobacco control
laws or vaccination mandates.
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Organizational Structure

Levels of Public Health Administration

Local, state, and national: Different levels of government
play distinct roles in public health, from community health
programs to national health policies.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health departments: Implement local health initiatives,
conduct health education, and enforce health regulations.
Agencies and other stakeholders: Various organizations
contribute to public health efforts, including non-profits,
hospitals, and research institutions.

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Organizational Structure

Health departments: Implement local health initiatives,

conduct health education, and enforce health
regulations.
Agencies and other stakeholders: Various organizations
contribute to public health efforts, including non-
profits, hospitals, and research institutions.

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Principles of Public Health Administration
Current Challenges
• Emerging infectious diseases: New and re-emerging infectious
diseases pose ongoing threats.
• Chronic disease management: Addressing the growing burden of
chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
• Health disparities: Reducing inequities in health outcomes among
different population groups.
Future Challenges
• Climate change impacts: Addressing health issues arising from
climate change, such as heat-related illnesses and vector-borne
diseases.
• Technological advancements: Integrating new technologies into
public health practice and managing associated ethical and privacy
concerns. 10
THANK YOU
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