EVOLUTION OF PARADIGMS IN PUBLIC HEALTH: FROM SUPERNATURAL CHANCE TO PREVENTION AS THE AXIS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Keywords:
Public Health; Primary Health Care; Social Determinants of Health; Health Policy; History of MedicineAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18.0396
Abstract
The concept of a paradigm in public health refers to the theories and principles that guide the understanding of health, disease, and intervention strategies. Throughout history, public health paradigms have evolved in response to social, cultural, and scientific changes. In ancient times, the magical-religious paradigm attributed disease to supernatural forces. Later, the naturalistic paradigm, represented by Hippocrates, linked disease to environmental factors and living conditions. Advances in microbiology led to the biological and germ theory paradigms, which focused on biological factors and microorganisms as causes of disease, promoting measures such as vaccination, isolation, and antibiotic use. At the same time, the miasmatic paradigm emphasized the role of unhealthy environments. In the modern era, the social medicine paradigm incorporated social determinants of health and highlighted the state’s responsibility in protecting population health. Today, the “Health for All” paradigm emphasizes primary health care, health promotion, equity, and prevention. Integrating scientific advances, public policies, and health education is essential to improving quality of life and reducing preventable diseases.
Keywords: Public Health; Primary Health Care; Social Determinants of Health; Health Policy; History of Medicine.
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