Public Health Glossary

Decode complex terminology and master the language of public health.

Sampling

Definition: Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of individuals, items, or units from a larger population to gather…

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Sanitation

Definition: Sanitation refers to public health conditions related to clean drinking water and adequate treatment and disposal of human excreta,…

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Screening

Definition: Screening in public health refers to the systematic application of a test or procedure to identify apparently healthy individuals…

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Secondary Prevention

Definition: Secondary prevention focuses on the early detection and prompt intervention for existing health problems or diseases, often in their…

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Sensitivity

Definition: Sensitivity is a statistical measure quantifying a diagnostic or screening test's ability to correctly identify individuals who truly have…

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Social Determinants of Health (SDH)

The non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, including the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age.

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Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Definition: Socioeconomic Status (SES) is a composite measure reflecting an individual's, family's, or group's relative social and economic position, typically…

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Specificity

Definition: Specificity is a measure of a diagnostic or screening test's ability to correctly identify individuals who *do not* have…

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Stakeholder

Definition: A stakeholder in public health refers to any individual, group, or organization that is affected by a public health…

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Stigma

Definition: Stigma, in public health, refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, or discrimination directed towards individuals or groups based on certain…

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Stratification

Definition: Stratification in public health is the process of dividing a population or data set into distinct subgroups (strata) based…

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Surveillance

The continuous, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data needed for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice.

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all".

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