public health

noun

: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science

Examples of public health in a Sentence

a disease that poses a serious threat to public health

She got her degree in public health.

Public health officials warned of an influenza outbreak.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two people who were not vaccinated against measles died of the disease in Pennsylvania, public health officials said on Tuesday—these are the first measles fatalities in the state in 35 years. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026

Plantation owners and traditional farmers often start fires to clear land for farming at low cost, triggering hazardous haze that reduces visibility, disrupts land and air transportation and threatens public health. — Muhammad Hatta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

The health department or another public health authority may provide specific quarantine instructions based on an individual’s circumstances. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

The initial concern driving the passage of Pueblo’s ban was syringe litter, but our study suggests that restrictions on harm reduction services may have significant unintended consequences that hinder community public health efforts. — Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public health

• commonwealth
• telehealth
• bridewealth
• stealth
• wealth

Medical Definition

public health

noun

pub·​lic health ˌpəb-lik- 

: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science