public health

American

noun

health services to improve and protect community health, especially sanitation, immunization, and preventive medicine.

Other Word Forms

public-health adjective

Etymology

Origin of public health

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Peter Roderick, director of public health for City of York Council, says parents should not feel pressured about reaching certain milestones, but instead reach out for support where necessary.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Ahead of their time, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson in particular used their positions to influence public health and disseminate medical knowledge to their communities and people around the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The researchers say their findings underscore the need for a more coordinated approach that bridges conservation, public health and trade policy and treats wildlife trade as a central driver of global health risk.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

This included asking for a full formal apology, cancelling foreign debts and investment to tackle illiteracy and public health issues.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

That meant that you calculated the cost of a public health project or medical procedure and tried to quantify its effectiveness.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023