Public health impacts the life of every person in Oklahoma every day. Our public health is susceptible to the unintentional spread of disease, including diseases such as influenza, pertussis (whooping cough) and tuberculosis.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease continue to take its toll on our population. Also, our public health is threatened by the potential for acts of terrorism.
Other public health issues are obesity, lack of exercise, use of tobacco and alcohol, unprotected sex, injury and violence. It is the responsibility of public health to address these issues through health education, disease surveillance, early disease detection, injury prevention and consumer protection.
- Prevents epidemics and the spread of the disease.
- Promotes and encourages healthy behaviors.
- Protects against environmental hazards.
- Prevents injuries
Responds to disasters and assists communities in recovery.
Public Health Achievements:
- Vaccination & control of infectious diseases
- Motor-vehicle safety
- Safer workplaces
- Safer and Healthier foods (establishment inspections)
- Regulation of prescription drugs
- Healthier mothers and babies (WIC)
- Access to family planning
- Ensuring access to clean water and air
- Decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke
Recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard (reduction of use).
Other services offered through public health are Children First, Sooner Start-Early Intervention, Guidance counseling for children under 12, nutrition education, STD screenings, Pregnancy testing, prevention programs, health publications and all hazards emergency planning.
Former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop wrote “Health Care matters to all of us some of the time, Public Health matters to all of us ALL of the time.”
Oklahoma State Department of Health Missions Statement: To Protect and Promote Health, Prevent Disease and Injury and to cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can be healthy, “Creating a State of Health.”
For more information go to www.ok.gov/health.