The intersection of social work and public health
Pehchaan The Street School, an NGO dedicated to educating and empowering underprivileged children, plays a vital role in the intersection of social work and public health. Here’s how Pehchaan contributes to this dynamic partnership:
Education as a Foundation: Pehchaan the street school emphasises on providing education to underprivileged children and those from marginalised backgrounds. Education is not only a keystone of social work but also a whole part of public health. Education provides individuals with the ability and skills to make educated health decisions, which promotes better public health.
Health Education: Pehchaan the street school includes health education into its programs. By teaching children about hygiene, nourishment, and preventive health measures, they contribute to public health initiatives. Educated children are more likely to lead more nourishing lives and share this knowledge with their communities.
Mental Health Support: Addressing mental health is an important aspect of public health, and by doing so, Pehchaan The street School contributes to general well-being for instance, psychological interns visit at the centres and understand the students behaviour.
Advocacy and Awareness: Pehchaan the street school advocates for the rights and well-being of underprivileged children, drawing attention to the issues they face. Public health also relies on advocacy and awareness campaigns to address health disparities and social determinants of health.
India, social work and public health
Article 47 – Duty of the State to Improve the Level of Nutrition and the Standard of Living and to Improve Public Health: Article 47 places an responsibility on the State to increase the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. Also article 21 gives the right to health to every citizen of india.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” – World Health Organization
Social work and public health are both concerned with the interest of individuals and communities, although from different manners. Social work is primarily focused on the individual or family, addressing social, psychological, and economic challenges, whereas public health takes a broader viewpoint, emphasising prevention and health promotion on a population level. However, these differences are complementary, making their collaboration necessary for a holistic approach to well-being.
One of the primary areas where social work and public health intersect is in addressing health disparities and inequities. Public health professionals often identify population-level disparities, while social workers work directly with individuals and communities to reduce these disparities. For example, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts analyse infection rates across different demographics, revealing disproportionate impacts on marginalised communities. The government has also launched programs like the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which aims to provide financial protection and healthcare services to vulnerable families.