Concepts and Issues in Public Health Culture, Psychology, and the Ecological Approach

An ecological approach focuses on both population-level and individual-level determinants of health and interventions. It considers issues that are community-based and not just individually focused. It highlights people's interactions with their physical and sociocultural environments. This article discusses the purposes, shortcomings, and extensions of the ecological approach to public health to be more inclusive of interpersonal characteristics, education, and ultimately upstream solutions to correcting health inequities among disenfranchised communities. Briefs are discussed regarding the concepts of health psychology, victim blaming, geography, culture, and cooperate responsibility - and the impact of those concepts on the adoption and adherence of pro-active health campaigns.