Rio Blanco County Nursing Service

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What is Public Health?

The most current and useful description of "public health" is presented in the 1988 Institute of Medicine publication entitled, The Future of Public Health. This publication defines the mission of public health as "fulfilling society's interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy. Public health's aim is to generate organized community efforts to address the public interest in health by applying scientific and technical knowledge to prevent disease and promote health."

The three core functions of public health are:
  • Assessment: Regular, systematic collection of information on the health of the community.
  • Policy Development: Work for rules/laws/policies that serve the health interests of the whole community.
  • Assurance: Assure that the services necessary to achieve health goals are available to the whole population, either by encouraging other entities to provide them or, if necessary, by providing services directly.

The following diagram provides a visual reference to the work of public health:

Rio Blanco County Nursing Service   Email: nurse_rgy@co.rio-blanco.co.us

209 E. Main
Rangely, CO 81648
(970-878-9525
(970) 675-8250 (fax)

345 Market Street
Meeker, CO 81641
970-878-9520
(970) 878-0321 (fax)