PUBLIC HEALTH

science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life,

promoting health and efficiency through organized
community effort for the sanitation of the environment,
control of communicable diseases, the education of
individuals in personal hygiene, the organization of
medical and nursing services for the early diagnosis
and preventive treatment of disease, and the
development of social machinery to ensure everyone a
standard of living adequate for the maintenance of
health, so organizing these benefits as to enable every
citizen to realize his birthright of health and longevity.
Dr. C.E. Winslow

PUBLIC HEALTH
art of applying science in the context
of politics so as to reduce
inadequalities in health while
ensuring the best health for the
greatest number
WHO

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

special field of nursing that combines
the skills of nursing, public health
and some phases of social assistance
and functions as part of the total
public health program for the
promotion of health, the
improvement of the conditions in the
social and physical environment,
rehabilitation of illness and disability
nursing practice in the public sector

CORE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC

HEALTH

Disease control
Injury prevention
Health protection
Healthy public policy
Promotion of health and equitable
health gain

ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE

PUBLIC HEALTH MIDWIFE
health promotion and education function; training function;
research function, collaboration and coordination,
supervision, management and nursing care
Clinician who is a health care provider, taking care of the
sick people at home or in the RHU.
Health educator, who aims towards health promo & illness
prevention thru dissemination of correct info; educating
people
Facilitator, who establishes multi-sectoral linkages by
referral system
Supervisor, who monitors & supervises the performance of
midwives

COMMUNITY HEALTH
- part of paramedical and medical
intervention/approach which is
concerned on the health of the whole
population
- aims:
1. health promotion
2. disease prevention
3. management of factors affecting
health

COMMUNITY HEALTH
NURSING
-The utilization of the nursing
process in the different levels of
clientele-individuals, families,
population groups and communities,
concerned with the promotion of
health, prevention of disease and
disability and rehabilitation.
- Maglaya, et al

COMMUNITY HEALTH
NURSING
PRIMARY GOAL
Self-reliance in health
ULTIMATE GOAL
To raise the level of citizenry by helping
communities and families to cope with
the discontinuities in and threats to
health in such a way as to maximize
their potential for high-level wellness

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
CHN
1. The community- the patient in CHN
* the family is the unit of care

four levels of clientele: individual, family, population

group (those who share common characteristics,
developmental stages and common exposure to health
problems e.g. children, elderly), and the community.
2. In CHN, the client is considered as an ACTIVE partner
NOT PASSIVE recipient of care
3. CHN practice is affected by developments in health
technology, in particular, changes in society, in general
4. The goal of CHN is achieved through multi-sectoral efforts
5. CHN is a part of health care system and the larger human
services system.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
CHN
6. Based on the recognized needs of the
clients
7. CHN must be available to all
8. Health teaching is a primary responsibility
9. Use available community health resources
10. CHNs must understand fully the
objectives and policies of the agency she
represents

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
CHN
11. Health teaching is a primary responsibility
of the CHNs
12. Opportunities for continuing staff education
programs for nurses must be provided by the
CHN agency. The CHNs also has a responsibility
for his/her own professional growth.
13. There must be provision for education
supervision in CHN
14. There should be accurate recording and
reporting in CHN