Monday, January 25, 2010

choice is public health

public health is about choice. it does not matter how many clever programs
or witty ads are being run in an attempt to make people fitter.
when it comes down to it the individual must choose to be healthy or not.
he or she must choose to go for a bike ride or go for another snack.
it is the public health-er's responsibility to influence, pursuade
and love that person so that they make the right choice.

tucker

Monday, January 11, 2010

the individual

every issue treated by public health comes down to the individual. the success of every health ad campaign or intervention hinges on whether or not the individual decides to change and make healthier decisions. that individual could be the 30-something american father who decides to go for a bike ride with his family instead of watching tv, or it could be haitian mother who decides to walk the extra mile to obtain purified water. Regardless of the program, country or disease, public health reduces down to improving the health of a single human being.