So, what does the Great Stink of London and tooth decay have in common?
Well, they are both examples of how public health measures have made a big impact on our day to day lives.
John Snow was the physician who figured out that the cholera outbreak during the Great Stink was localised to a single public water pump on Broad Street. At that point of time, the concept of disease spreading by the fecal-oral route was unheard of. Though it took time, his findings of how a contaminated water source was the source of disease in the community was what inspired fundamental changes to how water and sanitation systems are developed in cities, which in turn improved overall health.
If you look at the back of your toothpaste tube, regardless of brand you will see that it has fluoride. This is because fluoride has been shown to help prevent tooth decay. So what would be the simplest most effective way of making sure everyone gets enough fluoride then? By the fluoridation of water. In fact a report by Public Health England showed that 5 year olds who lived in areas where fluoride levels were adjusted in the water source were 15% less likely to have tooth decay and hospital admissions for dental caries were 45% lower.
So, what is public health and why is it important?
Well according to the WHO – it is “The art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society”.
To me, it is medical care and everything else outside of it, where sometimes the simplest and smallest changes can have the largest impact and make a big difference to the lives of many. And that’s what makes it so important.
Original: Cartoon from Punch Magazine, Volume 15 Page 152; 7 October 1848This copy: Punch archives, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4465077
365 days of public health 