Central to protecting whole health is an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, which is the mission and work of public health. Public health protects health and improves lives by promoting heathy lifestyles, detecting and responding to new and emerging health threats, and putting science into action to prevent disease, among other strategies. Public health protects communities from health threats across the world; in the United States, public health operates at the federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels.
This commentary discusses the importance of integrating public health with the healthcare system to support "whole health," which considers the combined effects of physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic factors on health outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading efforts in the United States to foster collaboration among healthcare providers, public health agencies, community groups, and policy makers. The goal is to create a coordinated health ecosystem that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention.
Whole health involves more than just treating illnesses; it addresses factors outside traditional healthcare settings, such as genetic influences, social environments, and personal behaviors. Public health plays a crucial role in this model by promoting healthy lifestyles and responding to health threats. The CDC is concentrating on 3 key areas: payment policies, quality measurement, and workforce development to integrate public health more effectively with healthcare.
Payment Policies: Payment policies significantly affect access to healthcare services. High costs can prevent people from receiving necessary care, leading to severe health complications that are more expensive to treat. The CDC collaborates with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve access to public health programs, like the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Vaccines for Children Program. These initiatives aim to reduce financial barriers to healthcare and support preventive measures.
Quality Measures: Quality measures help monitor healthcare performance and encourage high-quality care. These measures support public health by driving preventive services, such as cancer screenings and depression assessments. The CDC's 5-Year Quality Measure Roadmap focuses on meaningful measures that promote health equity and systemic improvements, with initiatives like Million Hearts, aiming to prevent cardiovascular events.
Workforce Development: Building a knowledgeable workforce that understands both public health and healthcare finance is essential for effective integration. The CDC works with partners to educate public health professionals about how healthcare systems operate, fostering collaboration and improving access to public health programs.
The commentary highlights the necessity of data-driven approaches to inform health interventions and resource allocation. Public health data, including statistics on births, deaths, and disease outbreaks, are crucial for preparing communities to tackle health challenges effectively. However, measuring the economic benefits of public health interventions remains challenging, as savings often emerge over long periods rather than immediately.
Collaboration across sectors is vital to protecting whole health. Community-based organizations play a key role in addressing chronic disease causes and improving service access. Educational institutions can help establish healthy habits early in life. By prioritizing preventive measures and investing in comprehensive evaluations, the health system can achieve better outcomes and improve lives.
Ultimately, the commentary underscores that protecting whole health requires teamwork across various sectors. By working together, healthcare providers, public health agencies, and community organizations can create a more effective health ecosystem that focuses on prevention, health promotion, and holistic care.