Looking back on the foundation of the Faculty of Public Health, it is important to be aware that Public Health, after its 19th century century achievements, has always had difficulties in establishing its role and esteem.
The dramatic advances in treatment first of infective conditions and later of chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease have always, in the public mind, overshadowed the far more effective public health measures such as vaccination, or the identification of the hazards of smoking and its prevention, lack of exercise and diet in the control of disease.
It is unfortunate that we have never been able to make our subject more “sexy". But, in addition, we have, as a group, always been concernedwith inequalities and alleviation of poverty, which has diminished our appeal tomany politicians and powerful financial, commercial and industrial interests.
This blog is an extract from a longer article written by Professor Holland, which is available in full via the FPH website.
