What is population health?

An approach to improve health of entire populations and reduce health inequities

What is public health?

Organized effort of society to promote health and prevent disease through programs, services, and policies

Key difference: population health vs public health?

Population health = approach; public health = system/actions

What is the goal of population health?

Improve overall population health and reduce inequities

How is population health measured?

Using health indicators

What are health inequities?

Differences in health outcomes between groups that are unfair and avoidable

What is the main shift in dietetics discussed?

Client-centered → population/system-level approach

What is the key question in population health?

How do we make the healthy choice the easy choice?

How do we achieve healthier populations?

By changing food environments (physical, social, economic, policy)

What is a food environment?

Factors affecting food access, availability, and information

What is public health surveillance?

Ongoing collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data

Why is surveillance important?

Supports planning, implementation, and evaluation of interventions

What is the population health model?

Framework showing determinants of health across levels (individual → society)

What levels are included in the population health model?

Individual, family, community, sector/system, society

What are determinants of health?

Factors influencing health (e.g., income, education, environment)

What are examples of social determinants of health?

Income, education, housing, food access, social support

What does the socioecological model show?

Health is influenced by multiple levels (individual → policy)

What is the key idea of the socioecological model?

Outer systems influence individual behavior

What is the “bell curve shift” concept?

Improving population health by shifting entire distribution, not just high-risk individuals

What is proportionate universalism?

Universal strategies with intensity based on level of disadvantage

What is the benefit of proportionate universalism?

Addresses inequities across entire population gradient

What is the role of public health dietitians?

Develop programs, policies, and interventions for populations

What do public health dietitians do?

Collaborate, design programs, influence policy, evaluate outcomes

What types of changes do public health dietitians create?

Environmental and systemic changes

What is food security work in public health?

Advocacy, education, and community mobilization

What is health promotion?

Strategies to improve health at population level

What is a key focus of public health nutrition?

Social determinants of health

What skills are required in public health nutrition?

Program planning, evaluation, coalition-building, advocacy

What technical skills are required?

Data analysis, monitoring, evaluation, policy development

What soft skills are important?

Communication, flexibility, collaboration, public speaking

What is knowledge translation (KT)?

Turning research into practical applications

What education is often required for public health dietitians?

Master’s degree

What experience is valuable?

Working with diverse populations and community programs

Where do public health dietitians work?

Government, NGOs, community health, industry, health systems

What is the role of policy in public health nutrition?

Address nutrition issues at population level

What is the simple policy cycle?

Identify problem → develop strategy → implement → evaluate

What is advocacy in public health?

Promoting policy or system changes for better health

What is social justice in nutrition?

Fair distribution of benefits, burdens, and power in society

What is “response-ability”?

Responsibility + ability to address social injustice

What does response-ability depend on?

Privilege, power, relationships, and knowledge

What is equality?

Providing same resources to everyone

What is equity?

Providing resources based on need to achieve equal outcomes

What is a key limitation of public health work?

Change is slow and long-term

What are advantages of public health nutrition careers?

Large impact, diverse work, collaboration

What is the main paradigm in public health vs clinical?

Public health = wellness; clinical = illness

What is prevention level in public health nutrition?

Primary prevention

What is the reach of public health nutrition?

Entire populations

What is the time frame of outcomes in public health?

Medium to long term