What is the future of Public Health? This question has become a perennial discussion in the field of public health. For decades, Americans have been ignoring the goals and mission of public health, allowing the system to fall into disarray. With this new focus on innovation and technology, how can we revitalize the public health system? Here are some suggestions. But first, consider the following:
Precision public health – Personalized medicine by targeting interventions based on a person’s genome – is another promising area of public health. As genomic sequencing becomes increasingly affordable and accessible, it will lead to more targeted interventions for patients. Such interventions are called precision medicine, and the future of public health should be no different. This field will undoubtedly face many ethical and policy challenges, but advances in genomics are paving the way.
Globalization – The current global population in middle-income countries is increasingly prone to non-communicable diseases. Previously, infectious diseases were the biggest public health challenge. But now, these diseases are also associated with lifestyles, which means that public health programs must focus more on modifying risk factors to promote healthy living. The future of public health will largely depend on how countries respond to the new challenges presented by a global population.
Diversity – While the future of the public health workforce is largely unknown, the future of diversity is bright. Increasing interest in empowering vulnerable people is expected to grow. The anthrax attacks have thrust public health officials into the spotlight. However, it is unclear whether these new challenges are truly addressing global health needs. But what is certain is that we must not ignore the importance of addressing social issues and promoting health for all.
