What defines the term 'public health'?

The definition of 'public health' centers on the assessment of health needs at a population level rather than focusing solely on individual treatment. Public health encompasses the systematic approach to analyzing data, identifying health trends, and evaluating community health needs to implement strategies that improve health outcomes for entire populations. This involves understanding various determinants of health, including social, economic, and environmental factors, and applying this knowledge to enhance community well-being through interventions, education, and policy changes.

The other options are more specialized and do not capture the broad scope of public health. For instance, market analysis of health care pertains to evaluating the economic aspects of health services rather than addressing population health directly. End-of-life care planning, while an important aspect of health care, is focused on individual circumstances and does not reflect the broader objectives of public health initiatives. Similarly, the concept of exclusively individual patient treatment aligns more closely with clinical health care rather than the proactive, population-centered approach that defines public health.