Lýðheilsufræði

Lýðheilsufræði is the Icelandic term for public health science. It is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities, and individuals. Lýðheilsufræði encompasses a broad range of disciplines including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, health policy and management, and occupational health. The primary goal is to improve the health of populations rather than treating individuals.

Key areas of focus in lýðheilsufræði include understanding the determinants of health, which are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. This involves identifying health trends, investigating outbreaks of disease, developing and implementing health promotion programs, advocating for policies that support healthy living, and ensuring access to healthcare services. Ethical considerations and the equitable distribution of health resources are also central to the field. Lýðheilsufræði plays a crucial role in addressing societal health challenges such as infectious diseases, chronic conditions, mental health issues, and health disparities.