Public Health Model

Definition of Public Health Model

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Public Health Model: Unlike a ‘crime control model’ which focuses on punishment or moralizing with the offender, a public health model looks at particular kinds of crime (often drug abuse, prostitution, youth violence) as public health issues. A public health officer takes a very different view of crime than does a police constable. The public health model encourages us to think of ways to stop the spread of drug abuse or violence, for example, or how to prevent drug abusers from harming themselves or spreading infection to the community, or on initiating education programs in schools to teach young people how to recognize the possible onset of violence, how to prevent it, who to call if violence is experienced, etc.

Public Health Model: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Public Health Model. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada