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
Imaging technologist is working with mammography X-ray scanner in hospital - stock photo
Common Barriers to Recommended Cancer Screenings
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
A couple runs in the evening
What Are 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
Conversation Traps to Avoid When Talking About a Loved One's Health
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
Blonde and redhead woman wrapped in rainbow flag
Everything You Need to Know About the Transgender Day of Remembrance
Fact checked by Lisa Sullivan, MS
copper sulfate
The Health Benefits of Copper Sulfate
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
A female PT talks with a male older patient.
Understanding Racial Disparities in the PT Profession
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Hookah pipes sitting in a row
Cancer Risks of Hookah Smoking and Health Concerns
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Upset woman sitting on couch alone at home
How to Identify and Prevent Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Doctor discussing with girl's family at hospital
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
Discover the 10 Modern Female Innovators Who Are Changing Medicine
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Close-up of person hand holding electronic cigarette
The Hazards of Juuling for Adolescents
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Cancer moonshot initiative research
What the Cancer Moonshot Initiative Is and How It Helps Medicine
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH
Older mother and adult daughter with shopping bags of food, food subsidies for Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid Join the Food as Medicine Movement
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Asian boy learning to wash his hands
How Environmental Health Impacts Our Quality of Life and Health
Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD
Full Length Rear View Of Woman Begging On Sidewalk
Healthcare Options for the Homeless
Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD
Police officer putting handcuffs on criminal
Can Increased Levels of Lead Contribute to Crime?
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Two men analyzing line graphs on laptop monitor
Explore What a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Would Look Like
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
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
The 10 Essential Public Health Services That Keep Communities Healthy
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
a hand picking up pill bottles on shelf
Prescription Drug Theft and 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?
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
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 Are the First Step in a Medical Breakthrough
Fact checked by Dale Brauner
Woman cancer patient in the hospital
How Health Disparities Can Impact HPV-Related Cancers
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
A group of doctors listening in a room together
Understanding What the Public Health Field Is
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Black woman in hospital gown holding baby
What Are Health Disparities and Why Do 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
Decision Support Is Often the Missing Piece in the Healthcare Puzzle
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
What You Should Know About Health Care's 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
Coronavirus FAQs
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
coronavirus diagnosis
How Coronavirus (COVID-19) Is Diagnosed
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
coronavirus vs. flu
Coronavirus and Flu: What’s the Difference?
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Coronavirus rendering
A Timeline of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What Is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD
talking to older parent
How to Talk About Assisted Living
Fact checked by James Lacy
Young couple meet in quarantine
How to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccination
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
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
How to Talk About Rheumatoid Arthritis
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 Doru Paul, 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 Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Nursing home administrator
What to Look for When Choosing a Care Facility
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig