Public Health and the Economic Crisis

Public health is the front line of the trilogy health production which include responsible individual practices and effective medical and other health interventions in the production of healthy societies. Recent economic decline is leading to a sense of fear of job loss for many. Contributing to the harsh environment is significant individual debt. Stress is the result. This stress is a public health issue as tensions in many communities (just look around Wall Street) have led to a variety of ills that lead to additional demands on health services. At the center of this is the individual. By taking responsibility for managing stress through healthy lifestyle practices many complications can be avoided.
Global economic contraction seems overwhelming. As the deleveraging process occurs efficient economies are likely to do so less and rebound sooner. The healthy economies offer a prescription for public health because the activities and interventions are efficient, responsible and sustainable. Inclusion couples with equity in the development of the collective intelligence to create something better for the community.
Community action that adopts public health in concert with supporting individual responsibility underpins economic efficiency and social sustainability.