Public Health Makes Life Better
Role of Public Health Empasized During April

For Immediate Release:
March 28, 2002

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Celebrating Public Health Month has special significance this year, not only to the public health workers and health care providers throughout the state but also to each of the 5.6 million residents in Missouri. In the past, many residents did not understand public health's role in their daily lives. However, its importance gained notable attention during the past six months, as it became a frontline defense in the battle against bioterrorism.

"Public health has had a significant impact during the past 100 years in helping residents live longer and healthier lives, often working behind the scenes," said Ron Cates, interim director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "The recent anthrax situation placed public health in a very public leadership role, with the nation looking to us for answers and action and reassurance."

The foundation of public health is based on protecting and improving the health and safety of Missouri's children, adults and seniors. Several years ago state and local public health agencies recognized the threat of terrorism and took steps to address it. In 1999, the Department of Health and Senior Services developed the first Memorandum of Understanding in the nation with the FBI, to aid in investigations of terrorist acts. This agreement served as the framework for coordinating with law enforcement agencies and testing suspicious specimens at the state public health laboratory.

During the past six months, the state health department and local public health agencies worked together closely to provide information, disease investigation and public education. In addition, the state health department activated a high-alert disease detection system, and is asking hospitals and physicians in the state to report to their local or state health department if they see patients who have symptoms that could be related to biological or chemical weapons.

"Responding to terrorist events is just one example of public health's role in our daily lives," Cates said. "These activities are really the same types of activities we do every day in detecting and controlling disease outbreaks."

"Public health's mission is to ensure healthy living and working environments," Cates added. By identifying and addressing patterns of disease, illness and injury in populations, public health has contributed to the decline in illness and injury. These include heart disease and stroke, tobacco-related diseases, infectious diseases, and motor vehicle and workplace injuries.

Of the increased 30 years in life expectancy gained this century in the United States, 25 years are attributed to public health - through sanitation improvement, food handling and storage, universal vaccinations, and improved tracking and control of communicable diseases. Five years are attributable to improved health care.

"We are celebrating Public Health Month this April to emphasize that public health touches each one of our lives every day," Cates said. "To put it quite simply, public health makes life better."

Here are a few examples:

Public Health Makes Life Better:

• By making sure children get their vaccines
  
• By controlling communicable diseases
  
• By working with communities to improve their health
  
• By making sure pregnant women receive prenatal care
  
• By ensuring that child care centers are healthy places for our children
  
• By promoting healthy lifestyles
  
• By making sure our food is safe
  
• By educating food service workers and inspecting restaurants
  
• By investigating complaints about environmental problems
  
• By testing wells and water supplies to be sure they are safe
  
• By helping minority communities improve their health
  
• By helping communities prevent tooth decay through water fluoridation
  
• By working with communities to prevent lead poisoning
  
• By inspecting and licensing health care and long-term care facilities
  
• By providing nutritious food to improve the health of women, infants and children
  
• By providing breast and cervical cancer screenings to eligible women
  

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