ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I discuss how public health services may be provided over the next few decades as society experiences a transition1 from current unsustainable lifestyles, to lifestyles characterized by sustainable living within a mutually benefi cial relationship with the environment. Providing basic public health services to a community, engaging the community to consider health dimensions in all aspects of living, and advocating for what are commonly called the ‘social determinants of health’ will be critical to maintaining the health of a community. This is due, in part, to the fact that a person’s health is determined more by the broad environment within which they live than by the availability of a doctor or hospital. In addition, the technological complexities, high resource use, and excessive costs associated with the acute healthcare system render it vulnerable in a time of transition and it may well be unable to meet healthcare demand. Consequently, a key aim must be to maintain population health; this is the role of public health. I address the issue from the perspective of an individual living in a well-developed country.
