Public health forward: modernizing the U.S. public health system
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Contributor(s):
- Bipartisan Policy Center, issuing body.
- Publication:
- Washington, DC : Bipartisan Policy Center, December 2021
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Health Care Costs Health Care Reform Public Health United States
- Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- COVID-19 exposed numerous, long-standing, and deep fractures in our public health system and highlighted pervasive disparities among communities regarding factors that affect an individual’s physical and mental health – access to affordable and nutritious food options, safe and affordable housing, financial security, and quality, affordable medical care. The infusion of federal relief funds presents policymakers with a historic opportunity to correct these problems and set a new course for health in the United States that advances health equity and enables each person to achieve their best health. Public health serves a critical yet often invisible role in health. Although a disproportionate amount of attention is placed on medical care and the treatment of diseases, illnesses, and injuries, public health takes a communitywide approach to improving health and the social factors that contribute to good health. Healthy behaviors, social and economic factors, the physical environment, and other issues account for 80% of health outcomes, while clinical care is responsible for only 20%.1 Through such activities as promoting healthy eating and active living, controlling infectious disease outbreaks, and preventing injuries, public health efforts allow Americans to live longer, healthier lives and is essential to the viability and prosperity of communities across the country. However, many Americans do not recognize the value that public health systems bring to their communities until these systems are most needed. Public Health Forward: Modernizing the U.S. Public Health System defines a vision for health in the 21st century and provides a practical, prioritized, bipartisan set of actions for policymakers and public health officials to guide strategic investments and decision-making to achieve this vision. These actions are informed by evidence, build on previous consensus frameworks and objectives, and represent work by national thought leaders that has the support of public health practitioners across the country. The nation’s safety, security, and economic prosperity depends on a strong public health system. We respectfully urge state and local policymakers to act now to fully realize the potential of this unique moment and secure the future of the public’s health.
- Copyright:
- The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
- Extent:
- 1 online resource (1 PDF file (xiii, 51 pages)) : illustrations
- Illustrations:
- Illustrations
- NLM Unique ID:
- 9918333788206676 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918333788206676