Week 3 Discussion Topic Due November 10 At 11:59 PM

Week 3 Discussiondiscussion Topicdue November 10 At 1159 Pmpersonal P

Review the lecture: Having a Personal Philosophy. Write your personal philosophy of public health based on what you learned from the lecture and course materials. Explain whether this philosophy has changed from the time you started the program to now. Support your work with course readings, texts, and outside sources, citing them in APA format. Participate in the discussion by initially posting your response by the due date, then engage with at least two classmates by asking questions, providing clarifications, sharing points of view, or challenging ideas. Use resources from the South University library and your texts to enhance your discussion.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a personal philosophy of public health is a reflective process that synthesizes one's values, beliefs, and understanding of the field, rooted in both academic learning and personal experiences. Throughout my educational journey in public health, my perspective has evolved significantly, broadening from a primarily biomedical focus to a more holistic understanding of social determinants and community engagement. This transformation underscores the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to promoting health and well-being at the population level.

Initially, my conception of public health was largely centered on disease prevention and control through medical interventions. I believed that technologies like vaccines, antibiotics, and medical diagnostics were the primary tools for safeguarding public health. This perspective was driven by a biomedical model emphasizing individual treatment and pathogen eradication. However, as I progressed through the course and engaged with diverse course materials, I recognized the critical influence of social, economic, environmental, and behavioral factors on health outcomes. This realization led me to develop a more nuanced philosophy that considers these wider determinants as essential components of public health strategies.

My current personal philosophy emphasizes that public health is fundamentally about creating equitable conditions that enable all individuals to achieve optimal health. This involves addressing disparities rooted in social inequalities, advocating for policies that promote social justice, and engaging communities as active partners in health initiatives. I believe that health promotion goes beyond combating diseases; it encompasses fostering environments that support healthy behaviors, ensuring access to essential services, and empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their health outcomes. This shift reflects my belief that health is not merely the absence of illness but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

This evolved perspective has been significantly shaped by the principles of health promotion frameworks such as the Social Ecological Model and the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, both of which highlight the interconnectedness of individual, relational, community, and societal factors. These frameworks have reinforced my understanding that effective public health interventions must be multifaceted and culturally sensitive, emphasizing prevention and health equity.

My personal philosophy has also been influenced by ethical considerations surrounding health access and social justice. I firmly believe that public health professionals have a moral obligation to advocate for underserved populations and eliminate health disparities. This commitment to equity aligns with the core values of the public health profession and reflects my growing awareness of the structural barriers faced by marginalized groups.

Compared to my initial views, my philosophy now places greater emphasis on community engagement, policy advocacy, and addressing social determinants. I recognize that sustainable health improvements require systemic change and collaborative efforts across sectors. This evolution has motivated me to pursue a career focused not only on individual health outcomes but also on systemic reform and social justice initiatives that promote health equity.

References

• Green, L. W., & Kreuter, M. W. (2005). Health programs: Planning, implementation, and evaluation. McGraw-Hill.
• World Health Organization. (1986). Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. World Health Organization.
• Koplan, J. P., et al. (2009). Framework for public health action: The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. American Journal of Public Health, 99(2), 219–226.
• Noar, S. M., & Harrington, N. G. (2010). eHealth applications: Promising strategies for behavior change. Routledge.
• Walt, G., et al. (2011). Health policy, systems, and reform. Routledge.
• Solar, O., & Irwin, A. (2010). A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health. Social determinants of health discussion paper 2 (policy and practice). World Health Organization.
• Braveman, P., et al. (2011). Socioeconomic disparities in health in the era of health care reform. JAMA, 306(24), 2677–2678.
• Levin, B. (2013). Reframing the discourse of education and health. Journal of Education Policy, 28(5), 513–529.
• Keleher, H., & Franklin, S. (Eds.). (2013). Understanding health: A determinants approach. Oxford University Press.
• Fuller, T. R., et al. (2016). Social determinants of health and health equity: A review and call to action. American Journal of Community Psychology, 58(1), 64–70.