On the Distinction—or Lack of Distinction—Between Population Health and Public Health

The term “population health” is increasingly used by academics, practitioners, policymakers, funders, professional organizations, and even consulting companies.1–3 Yet debates on what the term means are common,1,2 and its use has understandably created soul-searching and head-scratching in public health venues. Should the public health community embrace the term or distinguish itself from it? Does the use of the term signal a transformation of the way we approach health or is it merely a passing fad