Frequently Asked Questions
 

• What is the difference between public health and medical healthcare?
• Who are public health professionals?
• What are the responsibilities of public health departments?
• Why does Nebraska need the new Public Health Departments?

Q.  What is the difference between public health and medical healthcare?

A.  Public health focuses on the health of populations rather than on individuals  Public health professionals monitor and diagnose health concerns of entire communities while promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles all the time, whereas medical professionals treat individuals on a one-on-one basis for a specific injury or disease.

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 Q.  Who are public health professionals?

A.  Many professional disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, social work, optometry, pharmacy, environmental sciences, behavioral sciences, nutrition, health education and others work in public health.

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A.  The fundamental obligation of agencies responsible for population-based health is to:

• Prevent epidemics and the spread of disease
• Protect against environmental hazards
• Prevent injuries
• Promote and encourage healthy behaviors and mental health
• Respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery
• Assure the quality and accessibility of health services

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A.  Nebraska is one of the few states in the nation that has not had a statewide public health system until the passage of LB692. Although many competent organizations and agencies administered programs and provided services that were under the public health umbrella, the coordination of the public health programs was very fragmented. With the addition of the new local public health departments, implementation of programs and tracking public health data to monitor health threats to the public will be much more efficient.

 

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