What practice focuses on protecting and improving the health of a community?

Public health is the practice that centers on protecting and improving the health of communities as a whole. It encompasses a wide range of activities and initiatives aimed at preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized efforts at various levels, including local, state, and national health systems.

The focus of public health extends beyond individual health to address the health outcomes of groups of people. This may include monitoring health data, conducting health education programs, implementing policies for health improvement, and ensuring access to necessary health services. Public health plays a crucial role in managing health crises, such as epidemics or environmental health risks, and fosters overall well-being across populations.

While community service and health promotion are important, they typically operate within the broader scope of public health. Community service might focus on volunteer-based initiatives that support health-related activities, while health promotion emphasizes individual behaviors and strategies to enhance health. Social health, though an important aspect of overall health, does not specifically focus on the organized efforts within the community that public health prioritizes.