The Pharmacist's Contribution to Public Health

Desiree Obaji, Pharm.D. Candidate 2024

The field of public health goes beyond focusing on the health of an individual, but instead focuses on approaches that can be taken to improve the health of the general population - a concept known as population health. Population health is a broad topic whose main goal is the elimination of disease from the general population. It highlights how factors such as the environment, education, poverty, and access to healthcare can overlap to influence health outcomes in a community. These same factors can also be used to maximize and improve the health of a community. This past month, I had the privilege to complete an APPE rotation at The Brooklyn Hospital Center with a focus on Population Health Outcomes. It was an amazing and educational experience that highlighted the role pharmacists play in public and population health. As medication experts, pharmacists possess a vast knowledge on how to best prepare and dispense prescriptions, prevent medication errors and drug interactions, provide vaccinations, and counsel patients on the importance of taking their medications. This, in turn, ensures better patient health, medication adherence, and positive health outcomes. Overall, the experience I had at The Brooklyn Hospital Center helped shape my perception on the pharmacist’s role in public health and has propelled my passion for this specialty.