Public Health strategies and interventions changed considerably over the years from 1834-1999. The changes occurring range from vaccinations and institutions to issues such as welfare and general sanitation. Vaccinations for example increased as these were developed in response to outbreaks of serious illnesses, often resulting in large-scale death. Furthermore humanitarian and moral issues such as poverty and sex behavior increased responses to welfare sanitation difficulties as well as education relating to sexually transmitted diseases.
The greatest influences on changes in strategies and interventions may be summarized as the rise in population, urbanization, the economy, natural disasters and large-scale outbreaks of diseases resulting from sanitation issues. Strategies and interventions were then tailored to the particular needs identified by the above factors.
During the early years of the 18th century the function of the health care system was to identify needs and respond to these, as well as to cope with unforeseen disaster and disease. These included natural disasters such as fires and sanitation related problems such as infant mortality rates. Over the years however, health services and technology have improved to the point where many health problems may be anticipated. This is the result of experiential learning over the years from the 19th to the 20th centuries. Accordingly, the functions of health services have gradually changed their focus from response to prevention and preparedness through education. These functions manifest themselves in the strategies currently utilized by the public health care service. Rather than therefore responding to epidemics, citizens are educated to prevent illnesses by for example practicing adequate sanitation habits. In terms of disaster, technology can help citizens to be prepared for disasters, or to respond more adequately in a case where health services are disabled or difficult to access. The newly established functions of the health care system therefore directly influences its specific strategies.
