Don Quixote, Machiavelli, and Robin Hood: Public health practice, past andpresent

Since the mid-19th century, when the first formal health departments were e stablished in the United States, commissioners, directors, and secretaries of public health have functioned as senior members of the staffs of public executives. mayors, governors, and presidents. They have provided important political. managerial, and scientific leadership to agencies of government that have played increasingly important roles in national life, from the s anitary revolution of the 19th century to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and th e control of tobacco use today. Although public health officials come from a variety of backgrounds and over;ee agencies of varied size and compositio n,there are philosophical themes that describe and define the commonality o f their work. These themes are captured metaphorically by 3 celebrated figu res: Don Quixote, Machiavelli, and Robin Hood. By turns, the public health official functions as a determined idealist (Don Quixote), a cunning politi cal strategist (Machiavelli), and an agent who redistributes resources from the wealthier sectors of society to the less well off(Robin Hood.) All 3 p ersonae are important, but, it is argued Robin Hood is the most endangered.