Public health in eight European countries: an international comparison of terminology.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to assess the use of different terms pertaining to public health in selected Member States of the European Union.


METHODS
Qualitative research methods were used to compare the terminology among eight Member States. Seven to nine core terms were defined for each country, and a search was performed for these terms in the names of institutions and professional titles, organized into three comparable categories.


RESULTS
The data analysis showed considerable diversity in terminology. The three most commonly used terms for each country, and the frequency distribution of the core terms for all eight countries were determined.


CONCLUSIONS
Public health terminology and underlying concepts vary among Member States of the European Union. A large number of loosely related terms are in use, indicating the lack of a common conceptual framework for the discipline of public health. The most commonly used terms pertaining to public health are 'health sciences' and 'health promotion'. 'Public health' is not among the most commonly used terms.
Kaiser
Sanja
S
Department of Public Health, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. sanjakaiser@gmail.com
Mackenbach
Johan P
JP
D003153:Community Health Services; D005060:Europe; D006291:Health Policy; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D015980:Public Health Practice; D009626:Terminology as Topic