ABSTRACT
Background to midwifery, public health and Government policy 2 Why now? Factors influencing Government opinion on midwifery and
public health 3 Current policy on public health 4 Implementing public health: what might it mean? 6 Barriers to the expansion of an enhanced midwifery public health role 9 Positive factors in the expansion of the public health role of the midwife 10 Summary of key points 11 References 11
Public health is about enabling the population to live healthier lives. Definitions of what is meant by public health can be very broad, as this Government definition illustrates:
Public health [is] … the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society, organisations, public and private, communities and individuals …
Wanless (2004, p. 3)
Public health has been a part of Government policy from the days of the Victorian philanthropists’ drive to end infectious diseases to the present Government’s interest in healthy lifestyles. Different administrations have had both a different emphasis and a different commitment to public health.
