This commentary is by Jan K. Carney. She is associate dean for public health and health policy and a professor of medicine at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine.
Today, we are experiencing a national health crisis, faced with new challenges unfolding daily, uncertainty, and questions about the importance of science, research and public health. As a lifelong educator and researcher, I am fortunate to witness the positive impact of science and research — locally, regionally, nationally and internationally — every day with partners including health care, government, community organizations, schools and many others, reflecting a collective commitment to public health.
This week is National Public Health Week (April 7–13). You may wonder: what exactly is public health? Public health impacts us every day and because of public health, our society is healthier, safer and stronger.
The recent resurgence of measles in Texas and other areas is a prime example of the important role public health plays in disease education and prevention. Did you know, by the 1950s in the United States, there were 500,000 reported cases of measles each year — though the true number was probably closer to 4 million.
At the time, measles infected nearly all children before they turned 15, causing close to 50,000 hospitalizations annually and about 500 deaths, usually in children. It also caused over 1,000 cases of severe brain inflammation every year.
The first measles vaccine became available in 1963, and over the following decades the number of cases plummeted. In 2000, the U.S. declared measles were eliminated, marking a historic public health achievement. That is until now.
To date, more than 600 U.S. cases have been confirmed. However, measles infections in the U.S. are highly preventable with vaccinations. Globally, vaccines have saved millions of lives. Diseases including polio, tetanus, smallpox, Hepatitis B, mumps and chicken pox have been reduced or eliminated thanks to the role of public health and vaccines.
In Vermont and the surrounding region, the Larner College of Medicine has been a champion and trusted voice for public health. Our faculty are experts in their fields ranging from infectious diseases to epidemiology, chronic diseases and climate science. And because we are an academic medical institution, our students and patients benefit from this wealth of knowledge.
Recently, our second-year medical students participated in an annual poster session and community celebration; this has been part of our medical curriculum for more than 20 years. By partnering with prominent organizations including the United Way of Northwest Vermont, agencies identify a variety of health needs for public health projects that will benefit our local communities.
In addition to opportunities for an exceptional medical education, our Master of Public Health program prepares skilled and versatile graduates dedicated to improving public health through practice, research, education and leadership.
If you are a Baby Boomer, Gen Xer, Millennial or Gen Zer, you have been impacted by public health and probably don’t even realize it. Over the past 30 years, some of the most effective public health campaigns have been launched, including:
- Anti-smoking campaigns: The recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard and subsequent public health anti-smoking campaigns have resulted in changes in social norms to prevent initiation of tobacco use, promote cessation of use and reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
- “Ice Bucket Challenge”: This social media campaign raised awareness and funds for ALS research.
- Global Polio Eradication Initiative: Launched by the World Health Organization, this initiative has reduced the incidence of polio by over 99% since 1988.
- “Back to Sleep” (now Safe to Sleep): This campaign, which began in 1994, encourages parents and caregivers to place babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
- The Heart Truth: In 2002, The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute created The Heart Truth, the first federally sponsored national health education program designed to raise awareness about heart disease as the leading cause of death in women.
Locally, public health scientists are using surveillance systems to closely track bird flu, monitoring potential disease threats to humans — the application of science to real world settings including farming communities in Vermont, in real time, to prevent illness and protect our valuable agricultural community.
Unfortunately, in today’s 24/7 internet driven news cycle, mis- and disinformation shapes popular opinion. So, what can you do? Support science. Support public health. Support education. Support your neighbors, local community and organizations working together to improve the health of Vermonters.
Our public health system relies on collaborative partnerships. The strength of these collective relationships helps us provide information based on proven data and fuels our persistence, especially as Vermonters, to continue to meet enduring health and social needs. We must continue our strong foundation of science, research, and partnerships if we want our health better than it is today.
