UNIT 1 Concepts of Community Health and Community Health Nursing PUBLIC HEALTH 1. Definition of Public Health Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized efforts of society, organizations (public and private), communities, and individuals. By C.E.A. Winslow (1920): “Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.” 2.