Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Primary Health Care Setting: Setting the Scene

Abstract

Last (1983) defines public health as: the efforts organised by society to protect, promote and restore the public's health. It is the combination of sciences, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all people through collective or social actions. The programs, services and institutions involved emphasise the prevention of disease and the health needs of the population as a whole. Public health activities change with changing technology and values, but the goals remain the same: to reduce the amount of disease, premature death and disability in the population. (p.45)Recommended goals and targets for addressing national public health problems a..