Public Health

Public health concerns range from the spread of viruses to drugs and gun violence. Learn more about such issues, what approaches set out to address them, and how they may affect you.

Explore Public Health

All Epidemics Healthy Conversations
A couple runs in the evening
What Are the Social Determinants of Health?
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Verywell's Anti-Racism Pledge: Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity
Verywell’s Anti-Racism Pledge
By Team Verywell
couple-conversing
Talking to a Loved One About Their Health: Conversation Pitfalls to Avoid
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Hispanic doctor with digital tablet talking to patient
4 Reasons People Don’t Go to the Doctor
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Crowd of people on opposite end of seesaw to transgender symbol
The Transgender Day of Remembrance
Fact checked by Lisa Sullivan, MS
copper sulfate
Copper Sulfate: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
A female PT talks with a male older patient.
Racial Disparities in Physical Therapy
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Hookah pipes sitting in a row
Hookah Smoking: Cancer Risk and Health Concerns
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Upset woman sitting on couch alone at home
Intimate Partner Violence: Identification and Prevention
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Group of kids standing in front of a world map
What Is the Children's Health Insurance Program?
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Young woman with her head in a cloud of vapor smoke
The Health Risks of Secondhand Vaping
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Ten female healthcare innovators
10 Modern Female Innovators Who Are Changing Medicine
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Close-up of person hand holding electronic cigarette
The Potential Health Hazards of Juuling for Adolescents
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Cancer moonshot initiative research
The Cancer Moonshot Initiative
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Older mother and adult daughter with shopping bags of food, food subsidies for Medicare/Medicaid
Food Subsidies for Medicare and Medicaid
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Scientist with pipette working with DNA samples
Genome-Wide Association Studies
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Asian boy learning to wash his hands
Environmental Health and How it Can Effect Your Health
Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD
Full Length Rear View Of Woman Begging On Sidewalk
Health Care for the Homeless
Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD
Police officer putting handcuffs on criminal
Is There a Link Between Lead and Crime?
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Two men analyzing line graphs on laptop monitor
A Public Approach to Gun Violence
Fact checked by James Lacy
opioid pills
What Caused the Opioid Crisis?
Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH
A man in an aisle at the market
What Are Food Deserts?
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
Neglected Tropical Diseases
What Are Neglected Tropical Diseases?
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
Scientists conducting scientific experiment in laboratory
What Are the 10 Essential Public Health Services?
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
a hand picking up pill bottles on shelf
What to Do If Your Medication Is Stolen
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Steel workers fastening steel to crane in factory
What Is Occupational Health and Safety?
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
AIDS March
Can the UN's 90-90-90 Strategy to End HIV Really Work?
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
A scientist works in a lab.
Pilot Studies and New Trends in Research Funding
Fact checked by Dale Brauner
Woman cancer patient in the hospital
Health Disparities in HPV-Related Cancers
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
A group of doctors listening in a room together
An Overview of the Public Health Field
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Black woman in hospital gown holding baby
Health Disparities: What They Are and Why They Matter
Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD
Three generations of women bonding outdoors
What Is Health Equity and How Do We Get There?
Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD
breast cancer patient talking with doctor
Why Decision Support Is Vital to Healthcare
Fact checked by Dale Brauner
A masked man smoking vape and exhaling
The Health Risks of Vaping
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
High Angle View Of Cigarettes On Blue Background
Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?
Medically reviewed by Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD
Triple Aim
An Overview of the Triple Aim
Fact checked by Dale Brauner
Nurse
The 6 Best Travel Nursing Agencies of 2021
Fact checked by James Lacy
Telemedicine
The 7 Best Online Doctors of 2021
Fact checked by James Lacy
What Scientists Know About COVID-19
What Scientists Know About the COVID-19 Virus
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
When to Seek Emergency Care During COVID-19
When to Seek Emergency Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
woman looking out window
What Happens During a Quarantine?
Fact checked by James Lacy
woman on laptop in living room
How do you get tested for COVID-19? 15 Common Coronavirus (COVID-19) Questions
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
coronavirus diagnosis
How Coronavirus (COVID-19) Is Diagnosed
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
coronavirus vs. flu
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Flu: Similarities and Differences
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Coronavirus rendering
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Timeline
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is Coronavirus (COVID-19): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD
talking to older parent
How to Talk About Assisted Living
Fact checked by James Lacy
Romantic couple have cozy weekend
How to Talk About Psoriasis
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
two women having serious conversation
How to Talk to a Vaccine Skeptic
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Male friends talking while sitting in living room
How to Tell Someone You Have Cancer
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Mature couple talking at home
How to Encourage a Doctor's Visit
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Older woman talking to daughter
Rheumatoid Arthritis, How to Talk About It
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
women discussing paperwork
How to Talk About Health Insurance
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
A picture of a man and a woman having a serious talk
How to Encourage a Cancer Screening
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Caregiver stress
How to Talk About Caregiver Burnout
Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD
Women in conversation
What Is Healthy Conversations?
By Brett Spiegel, MPH
Woman sipping tea
Survey: Effective Vaccine Conversations Rely on Open Communication
By Amanda Morelli and Brett Spiegel, MPH
Couple Of Friends Talking And Drinking Coffee At Pool Hall
Strategies to Make Tough Conversations More Effective
Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD
Nursing home administrator
What to Look for When Choosing a Care Facility
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Elderly at the nursing home
How to Pay for Long-Term Care
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO