3.1: Introduction
Public health has a long history alongside science and medicine. The philosophy that we can not only treat and cure but prevent many diseases and deaths as a society, and that we owe it to each other to do so - continues to fuel the evolution of public health. This chapter is a very brief history of public health, and attempts to highlight the pivotal advances made within the discipline. At the same time, we should recognize that the Western history of public health tends to center European, cis-gender, (gender expression the same as sex assigned at birth) male historical figures. This historical account will not adequately cover the contributions of other societies and individuals, such as those of Eastern, African and American Indigenous societies. Once we get to the 21st century and beyond, this chapter will specifically focus on the history of public health in the United States. Thus, further study of other histories is recommended.
Although there are many advances in medicine and public health which have helped populations and saved countless lives, public health also has a history of harming specific individuals and communities, and at times exacerbating health disparities based on race, ethnicity, gender, and wealth. Some examples of this are included in this chapter. Yet, across the centuries, many individuals and organizations have also defied systemic injustice and advocated for health equity and human rights as the core purpose of public health.