Handrails are Public Health

Andrea Anger

Ann Mislovic

Candice Deschaine

Kendria McLean

Shalee Beckford

In the process of completing the task of applying our " This is Public Health" sticker to a location that constitutes a public heath issue, we chose to place it on a railing going down and up a set of stairs at the M.O.S.I. building. In the picture above, our group members who stand from left to right include Ann Mislovic, Kendria McLean, Candice Deschaine, Shalee Beckford, and Andrea Anger.

Hand rails on staircases are considered a Public Health service that prevents injuries, while walking up or down a set of stairs, before the injuries can can take place. The railing represents a Public Heath Issue because it prevents injuries while walking down or up a set of stairs. This is an important issue because it is applying the primary prevention method to prevent the risk factor before it happens. This is a Public Health safety precautionary measure.

Our group carefully planned out the location that we decided to place our sticker because we wanted to find a place that not everyone notices everyday that is considered Public Health. Public Health, as defined by The Future of Public Health, is organized work that ensures conditions to be healthy to assure that people will live longer and more healthy lives. Stemming from this definition, the railing going down a set of stairs takes primary action to prevent a risk before it occurs. If a person is walking or running up a set of stairs, he or she is at an incline that takes extra effort on the body and may have the dangers of falling or gaining an injury. To prevent this from occurring several times, a rail was placed to ensure public safety. You should take precautionary measures next time you go up or down a set of stairs by using the railing.