Public Policy l Fluoridation Facts 85 Public Policy 57. What is public health?. ..........................................85 58. Valuable measure?................................................86 59. Reduce disparities?...............................................88 60. Support for fluoridation?.....................................89 61. Courts of law?.......................................................91 62. Opposition?............................................................92 63. Opposition tactics?...............................................93 64. Internet?.................................................................96 65. Public votes?..........................................................97 66. International fluoridation?................................ 101 67. Banned in Europe?. ..............................................102 57. What is public health? Answer. Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Public health measures improve the quality of life for members of the community. Fact. Public health has numerous definitions and dimensions. It can encompass issues of research, education, regulation, policy and more. It focuses on the health of entire populations that can vary in size from as small as a local neighborhood to a small-sized community and a large-sized city. It also can focus on populations with a state, national or even global perspective. But how does public health affect our everyday lives? Individuals are touched by public health measures every day without giving them a second thought. For example, garbage pick- up and disposal prevent the spread of disease. The stoplight at a busy intersection protects motorists and pedestrians from injury. Building sidewalks in communities provides the option for people to walk to help control their weight and improve their heart health. Smoke-free laws help prevent lung cancer. All of these are public health in action. Community water fluoridation is another example of a public health measure. • Optimally fluoridated water is accessible to the entire community regardless of socioeconomic status, educational attainment or other social variables.1 • Individuals do not need to take special action or otherwise change their behavior to obtain the benefits of fluoridation. • Frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride over time makes fluoridation effective through the life span in helping to prevent tooth decay.2 • Community water fluoridation is more cost- effective and cost-saving than other forms of fluoride treatments or applications.3, 4 During the 20th century, the health and life expectancy of persons residing in the United States improved dramatically. Since 1900, the average life span of persons in the United States lengthened by greater than 30 years 25 years of this gain are attributable to advances in public health. Many notable public health achievements occurred during the 1900s. In a series of reports during 1999, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) profiled 10 public health achievements chosen to highlight the contributions of public health and to describe the impact of these contributions on the health and well being of persons in the United States.5 Ten Great Public Health Achievements — United States, 1900-19995 • Vaccination • Motor-vehicle safety • Safer workplaces • Control of infectious diseases • Decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke • Safer and healthier foods • Healthier mothers and babies • Family planning • Fluoridation of drinking water • Recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard