The new public health: Vision for the future

On the fortieth anniversary of the Department of Social and Preventive Medi cine, now renamed the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, the co ntribution of the Department to the development of public health in Jamaica is briefly reviewed. The paper focuses on the challenges, goats and aspira tions for the development of a "new" public health. The challenges include the need for more effective public health leadership, health promotion bett er management of the health services and health reform. The latter should p rovide greater autonomy for the health regions and alternate ways of financ ing health, and should improve the quality of services provided. The Depart ment is challenged to contribute by establishing a Public Health Residency Programme for doctors leading to a Doctor of Medicine or Doctorate in Publi c Health; to ensure that epidemiology becomes a basic science in the underg raduate medical curriculum, and that research plays a significant role in p ostgraduate training of clinical specialists; and to participate move activ ely in the actual practice of public health. A vision for health in the twe nty-first century is given.