Tsunamis slosh public health practice and scholarship together: an opportunity for a healthier future?

摘要

During the past 10 years, one after another contextual tsunami has washed across the local governmental public health department (LGPHD) landscape. Among these waves: the increased emphasis on public health emergency preparedness and disaster response, the uncertain future impact of federal health care reform on medical care costs, quality, and access to care. Other waves include preparation for national voluntary public health accreditation, the development of health information exchanges, electronic health records and social media, tough economic times, partisan political upheaval, the world wide migration of people and emerging infections, environmental hazards and an awakening to inequity as a preeminent causal factor of disparity in health outcomes.