Chapter 93
EMS–public health interface
Robert P. Holman,
Ryan B. Gerecht,
Robert P. Holman
Search for more papers by this authorRyan B. Gerecht
Search for more papers by this authorRobert P. Holman,
Ryan B. Gerecht,
Robert P. Holman
Search for more papers by this authorRyan B. Gerecht
Search for more papers by this authorBook Editor(s):David C. Cone MD,
Jane H. Brice MD, MPH,
Theodore R. Delbridge MD, MPH,
J. Brent Myers MD, MPH,
David C. Cone MD
Professor of Emergency Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Search for more papers by this authorJane H. Brice MD, MPH
Professor of Emergency Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorTheodore R. Delbridge MD, MPH
Executive Director
Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Baltimore, Maryland
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Brent Myers MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer ESO Associate Medical Director
Wake County EMS, Raleigh, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 18 August 2021
Summary
EMS and public health are different disciplines that often overlap. Both share the common goal of disease and injury prevention. Since the development of EMS, a variety of public health initiatives have improved the health of our communities. This chapter will discuss the history of public health and general concepts of public health as they relate to EMS. Mass vaccination as a public health service will be described along with other examples of surveillance and database development useful for collaborating with public health authorities. After reading this chapter, the reader will understand the importance of collaboration with public health agencies, the origins of epidemiology, needs assessments as a public health tool, surveillance and databases that can be useful in EMS, the promise of technology in improving survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and the possible role of paramedics in mass vaccination.
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