We started off the day with a public health lecture about the United Kingdom led by Sarah, who is a medical doctor. During the presentation, we learned about the meaning and importance of public health and how it impacts entire populations rather than just individual patients. One definition that stood out to me was that health is considered a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not simply the absence of illness or disease. This definition showed how healthcare involves much more than just treating physical conditions.
We also learned that public health is both the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society. Instead of focusing only on treatment after people become sick, public health aims to improve the overall health of communities through education, prevention, and policy. The lecture emphasized that public health in the UK focuses on three major areas: promotion, prevention, and protection. Promotion involves encouraging healthier lifestyles and improving well-being, prevention focuses on reducing the risk of disease and illness before they occur, and protection involves keeping communities safe from health threats and environmental dangers.
In addition, we learned that six different programs help support and organize the UK public health system. These programs work together to address major health concerns, improve access to care, and support healthier communities across the country.
We also discussed the major public health priorities in the United Kingdom and the areas the country needs to focus on improving in the future. One of the most significant issues we learned about was mental health, which is currently one of the leading causes of disability in the UK. This demonstrated how mental health conditions can greatly affect quality of life, daily functioning, and overall well-being for many individuals.
Another major concern is obesity and overall physical health. We learned that 63% of adults in England are considered overweight or obese, which increases the risk for many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The lecture also addressed health inequalities across the UK. In some communities, there can be as much as a 10-year gap in life expectancy depending on factors such as income, education, environment, and access to healthcare. This showed how social and economic conditions can have a major impact on health outcomes.
We also learned about the aging population in the UK. By the year 2030, it is expected that nearly half of the population will be 65 or older. This will place increased pressure on healthcare systems, caregiving services, and public health resources. Another major topic discussed was antimicrobial resistance, which is considered a global health threat. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant to treatment, making infections harder to treat in the future.
We also discussed the lasting impact and legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic affected healthcare systems, mental health, public trust, and everyday life around the world. It also highlighted the importance of public health planning, disease prevention, and global cooperation during health emergencies.
Another important concept we learned about was the social determinants of health, which are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These factors can greatly influence a person’s overall health and quality of life. Things such as income, education, housing, employment, environment, and access to healthcare all play a role in determining health outcomes. The lecture showed that health is influenced not only by medical care, but also by the social and economic conditions people experience every day.
We also learned that public health works largely through interventions, which are strategies and programs designed to improve health and reduce the burden of disease before major problems occur. Many of these interventions are non-invasive and focus on prevention, education, and healthier lifestyle choices. One example discussed was smoking rates in the West Midlands. The percentage of adults aged 18 and older who smoke decreased from 19.2% in 2011 to 11.3% in 2024. This demonstrated how public health campaigns, education, and policies can successfully improve community health over time.
Another key point from the lecture was that public health focuses on both equality and equity. Equality means giving everyone the same resources or opportunities, while equity means recognizing that different groups of people may need different levels of support in order to achieve similar health outcomes. Public health aims to reduce health disparities and ensure that all individuals have fair opportunities to live healthy lives. Overall, the lecture helped me better understand how public health extends beyond hospitals and healthcare settings and works to improve the well-being of entire populations.
We then attended a lecture about midwifery and learned about the important role midwives play in healthcare in the United Kingdom. One of the most interesting things we learned was that not all UK midwives are nurses first. In the UK, students can directly study midwifery as its own profession rather than becoming a nurse beforehand. We also learned that midwives are highly autonomous healthcare professionals who are trained to care for women throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum recovery.
Unlike in some healthcare systems, UK midwives are able to attend and manage births independently without a doctor being present in many normal pregnancies and deliveries. Their role extends beyond hospitals as well, since midwives can work in community settings, birthing centers, clinics, and even provide care during home births. This showed how midwifery care in the UK is designed to support women in many different environments and situations.
The lecture emphasized that the goal of midwifery is to promote safe, evidence-based, woman-centered care. A major theme discussed was that the woman is considered the “boss” throughout the birthing process, meaning her choices, preferences, and needs are respected and prioritized whenever possible. Midwives work to support women physically, emotionally, and mentally during pregnancy and childbirth while helping them make informed decisions about their care. I found it very interesting to learn how much independence and responsibility midwives have in the UK healthcare system and how strongly the profession focuses on empowering women throughout childbirth.
We then attended a lecture about mental health, which I found very interesting and thought-provoking because the speaker shared personal stories and real-life experiences that made us reflect more deeply on the topic. One area that especially stood out to me was psychosis, including the experience of hearing voices. The speaker explained how these experiences can greatly affect a person’s daily life, emotions, and relationships, while also challenging many stereotypes people may have about mental illness. Hearing personal stories made the lecture feel much more meaningful and helped us better understand the importance of empathy, compassion, and support for individuals struggling with mental health conditions.
Finally, we participated in the Black Heritage Walk, which was a fun and meaningful way to wrap up the day. The walk allowed us to learn more about the history, culture, and communities in Birmingham while exploring different parts of the city. It was an engaging experience that combined education with sightseeing, and it gave us a deeper appreciation for the city’s diverse history and community. After a full day of lectures and learning, the walk was a great way to end the day!
