public-health
|pub-lic-health|
/ˌpʌblɪkˈhɛlθ/
(public health)
health of the community
Etymology
'public health' originates from two elements: 'public' from Latin 'publicus' (via Old French 'public'), where the root 'populus' meant 'the people'; and 'health' from Old English 'hǣl' (later Middle English 'helth'), where the root meant 'wholeness' or 'well-being'.
'public health' formed as a compound in Modern English from the adjective 'public' (from Latin 'publicus' → Old French 'public' → Middle English 'public') combined with the noun 'health' (from Old English 'hǣl' → Middle English 'helth'), eventually yielding the modern phrase 'public health'.
Initially, the component words referred to 'the people' and 'wholeness/well-being'; over time the compound came to mean organized efforts and systems to maintain the health of the population rather than just individual well-being.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of populations through organized community or governmental efforts (disease prevention, health promotion, epidemiology, policy).
The city's public-health department launched a vaccination campaign.
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Noun 2
programs, services, policies, and measures implemented to prevent disease and promote health across a community or the entire population (e.g., sanitation, vaccination, health education).
Public-health measures such as clean water and sanitation dramatically reduced infection rates.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 13:36