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Critically Compare and Contrast Community Psychology and Public Health Approaches to Social Problems

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In this essay, I will critically compare and contrast community psychology and public health approaches to social problems. I will do this by comparing strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, as well as similarities between these approaches. To compare these two concepts, one should first have a basic understanding of the origins and historical development of community psychology and public health. According to the American Heritage Medical dictionary (www.ahdictionary.com) Community Psychology is “the application of psychology to community programs for the prevention of mental health disorders and the promotion of mental health.” Community psychology has its roots in the mental health reform movements in the USA, according to …show more content…

Public health concerns itself with the prevention of lifestyle diseases, such as heart problems, as well as diseases of which the occurrence can be reduced if the public is educated about it, such as HIV/AIDS and cholera (Tut 102 for PYC4811). Public health, as practised in South Africa and most industrialized countries, is based on the biomedical/western model of illness. According to this model, the reason for disease and distress (and, therefore, mental illness) is because of lesions within the body or mind. These lesions are caused by an interaction between a.) The characteristics of the individual (such as age, educational level, nutritional status, etc), b.) Disease-causing agents (such as germs, viruses, alcohol, etc) and c.) External environmental and social issues (such as poverty, war, pollution, etc). (Tutorial letter 102/0/2013for Pyc4811, 2013). According to Marc Zimmerman (http://www.answers.com), there are many similarities between the Community Health and Public Health fields, such as their methods, topics, theories and values. Both fields use methods such as advocacy, community organizing, policy influence, and dissemination (Zimmerman, http://www.answers.com). They also both apply theories and conceptual models, such as empowerment theory, social change theories and ecological theory. Community

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