Facts about Public Health

Chronic disease

  • The most prevalent chronic diseases - arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and pulmonary disease - can be reduced through public health interventions.
  • Obesity, a major cause of diabetes and heart disease, costs the US $61 billion in direct medical care and $56 billion in lost productivity.
  • Reductions in high blood pressure and high cholesterol from 1981-1990 resulted in 430,000 fewer deaths caused by heart disease.
  • If 10 percent of adults began a regular walking program, $5.6 billion in heart disease costs could be saved.
  • Every dollar spent on activity programs for older adults with hip fractures results in a $4.50 return.

 

Public health workforce

  • Approximately 50 percent of federal and 25 percent of state public health workers will retire in the next 5 years.
  • Ex-President Bush's proposed 2006 budget includes zero dollars for Public Health Training Centers ($5 million in 2005), and no increases for Centers for Public Health Preparedness ($30 million in 2005).

 

Public Health at Ohio State

  • The CDC's Centers for Public Health Preparedness is a network of 40 centers, including one at the OSU College of Public Health, who train state and local health workers to manage new threats from bioterrorism, natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
  • The Ohio Center for Public Health Preparedness in OSU's College of Public Health was the only new center funded by CDC in 2004.
  • The Ohio State University's College of Public Health is the only accredited College or School of Public Health in the state of Ohio.
  • The College of Public Health celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2005.
  • Applications to the College have increased steadily from 166 in 1997 to more than 400 today.