alth (Bonnie and Whitehead, 1975). In contemporary society, prospects for the health of individuals are
. . . determined by public policy, by those decisions which shape contemporary environments in communities, workplaces, homes, and schools. Public policy sets parameters for the mode and character of industrial and agricultural production, corporate management, and individual behavior (Milio, 1981, p. 3).
Public health, thus, is more than a polio epidemic or an AIDS (acquired immunity deficiency syndrome) crisis, and public health policies concern more than the programs required to deal with such epidemics and crises. "Health is not a 'state' to be captured and dealth with; nor is it some achievement to be attained with finality. It is rather the response of people to their environments" (Milio, 1981, p. 3). Public health, therefore, is concerned with both the health status of individuals in a society, and all of the environmental and ecological factors which affect individual health.
Public health policy at the national level is required, because the factors affecting individual health are, in many instances, pervasive in society. Development of acceptable
levels of public health within a large and complex society such as that of the US
. . . requires and interpretation of the nature of today's health problem. . . . Its focus is on the interconnection between "causes" and illnesses and the ways they affect each other, as well as the linkages among "causes" and among illnesses. All these ties suggest the plausibility of viewing today's health problem as a response to modern environments, and one therefore amenable to improve ment through public policy measures (Milio, 1981, p. 9).
In 1813, the office of Surgeon General of the United States was established, with health care responsibilities for both the army and the general public (Callan, 1863). The establishment of this office was the beginning of an effo...