TRANSITION SERIES Topics for the Advanced EMT CHAPTER Public Health and EMS 11

Objectives Introduce what public health is and its determining components. Differentiate between public health and individual patient care. Discuss milestones of public health and how they affect EMS. Integrate EMS and public health principles.

Introduction Public health deals with the health status of people, from small communities to nations. EMS and public health are not dissimilar in overall intent; EMS focuses on the person while public health focuses on people.

Public Health vs. Patient Care Public health and medicine (EMS) are both grounded in science. Both work closely together with similar goals. The overall purpose of both is to ensure a healthy population, although tasks to achieve this are different.

Public Health versus Medicine

Achievements of Public Health Public health achievements –Vaccinations –Motor vehicle safety –Safer work places –Control of infectious diseases –Decline in heart disease

Achievements of Public Health (cont’d) Public health achievements –Safer and healthier foods –Healthier mothers and babies –Family planning –Fluoridation of water –Decreased tobacco use

EMS and Public Health How EMS interfaces with public health –1996 EMS Agenda for the Future –2002 National Public Health Performance Standards Program –Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs (Example Falls)

EMS has a role among other members of the interrelated public health system.

Summary Once individual entities, public health and medicine (hence EMS) have become more intertwined in the creation of a healthier nation. Through primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs, both entities will be able to achieve more together than either can alone.