In recognition of a changing environment and broad restructuring of the health care delivery system, there is an important and fundamental question that must be considered when determining both the effectiveness of change and the outcome of restructuring.
Healthy communities require much more than the components of a health care system.
They also require a systems approach to health which addresses factors such as housing, nutrition, education, crime and employment. Confronting these and other issues is critical to approaching health comprehensively and thus creating conditions in which people can be healthy. Public health is based on population based services and it keeps communities healthy by providing protection from illness, disease and injury. Government has an interest in the public's welfare as a whole, in addition to each individual. Moreover, Federal, state and local governments all have a legal responsibility for the safety, health and well-being of the community.