public health

noun

: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science

Examples of public health in a Sentence

a disease that poses a serious threat to public health

She got her degree in public health.

Public health officials warned of an influenza outbreak.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kolaches and a batch of salsa in portion cups were using time as a public health control but were not marked with a time removed from temperature control or a discard time. — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

For The Times) Anti-vax policies and erosion of the nation’s public health system have spurred hundreds of doctors and scientists to seek office. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Watch for medical associations or public health agencies to issue formal recommendations on daily screen posture, especially as average screen time continues to rise. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

The county’s access to healthcare, affordable housing and mental health services, along with chronic illness and violence within the community, have contributed to threats to public health, according to the county’s Community Health Assessment. — Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public health

• commonwealth
• telehealth
• bridewealth
• stealth
• wealth

Medical Definition

public health

noun

pub·​lic health ˌpəb-lik- 

: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science