Why is public health important?

“For me, public health is important because it provides a framework for service to those with greater needs in our community and strategically addresses challenges of different population groups. At the University of Miami, we serve through education and the development of innovative interventions to reduce the burden of chronic and emergent infectious diseases.”

-- Dr. Hermes Florez, Interim Chair, Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Population Health and Professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences

What are the most crucial issues facing Miami-Dade from the perspective of your line of work? 

“We have learned from community needs assessment surveys performed by the Florida Department of Health, that in South Florida we are facing several challenges associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyles as risk factors for chronic diseases such diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, particularly affecting children, adolescents, and older adults.”

-- Dr. Hermes Florez, Interim Chair, Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Population Health and Professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences

How can individuals or communities advocate for awareness and action around these issues?

“We have trained patients and advocates to become peer-leaders in order to enhance the implementation of evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage diabetes and cardiovascular disease through lifestyle interventions. These preventive strategies lead to improvements in the quality of life of high-risk individuals and to also alleviate depression. In addition, there is data showing that these interventions are cost-effective and therefore have been supported by the CDC and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Public health themes around which to promote awareness, advocacy, and action include mental health - depression and quality of life, maternal and child health - obesity and diabetes prevention, and economics - cost-effectiveness data with lifestyle interventions.”

-- Dr. Hermes Florez, Interim Chair, Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Population Health and Professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences