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Notable National Public Health Achievements

By

Donald L. Noah

, DVM, DACVPM, College of Veterinary Medicine and DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University

Reviewed/Revised Dec 2022 | Modified Jun 2023

During the 20th century, the health and life expectancy of Americans improved dramatically. Since 1900, the average life span of people in the US has increased by 30 years, largely because of advances in public health. To commemorate these advances, CDC named the following as the Ten Great Public Health Achievements—United States, 1900–1999: 1) vaccination, 2) motor-vehicle safety, 3) safer workplaces, 4) control of infectious diseases, 5) mortality decline from coronary heart disease and stroke, 6) safer and healthier foods, 7) healthier mothers and babies, 8) family planning, 9) fluoridation of drinking water, and 10) recognition of tobacco as a health hazard. (See also CDC's Ten Great Public Health Achievements—Worldwide, 2001–2010.)

To further commemorate national advances in public health and to specifically highlight the veterinary public health contribution to the overall effort, the following were named as the Ten Great Veterinary Public Health/Preventive Medicine Achievements in the United States, 1901 to 2000.

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