Gülsen GÜNEŞ, Fidan BALKAYA, Rukuye AYLAZ, Ayşe Burçin UYUMLU
Anatolian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences - 2026;5(2):114-122
This review aims to examine the roles of key health professionals (public health specialists, nurses, and pharmacists) in preventive, developmental, and therapeutic services, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, in light of the historical development and fundamental principles of public health. Public health is a holistic scientific discipline focused on protecting individual and community health, with an emphasis on environmental, social, and biological factors. The study examined the functions of each professional group in detail: the leadership role of public health specialists in policy development, epidemiological evaluation and programme management; the central position of public health nurses in providing primary preventive services in direct contact with the community; and the important roles of pharmacists in promoting rational drug use, preventing and managing chronic diseases, providing vaccination services, health education, early screening activities and public health practices. Literature shows that the roles of these professionals' complement each other in areas such as health education, chronic disease management, disaster response, and preventive programs. In conclusion, the effective protection and development of public health requires multidisciplinary collaboration between public health experts, nurses, and pharmacists working towards shared goals. This collaboration is crucial in enhancing the accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of public health services, thereby improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
