With technological advances there is no doubt that, as a population, we continue to live longer; yet, with the cost of medical care ever increasing, is it any wonder that an industry could develop from the concept of “preventive” maintenance? After all, we are all too aware of this concept; from large corporations struggling to maintain their expensive equipment in an effort to ensure profits, to the local neighbor who would rather bear the cost of preventative maintenance than the expense of replacing a broken-down vehicle. To this end, car manufacturers have even started to include the main necessary items of “preventive maintenance” in their “owner's manuals”. For example, I have to replace the timing belt and water pump every 75,000 miles in my Nissan. Interestingly, while we were focused on maintaining everything around us, we somehow forgot to consider our most precious complex asset, our body. How is it possible that the maintenance of human health and its performance has somehow been neglected and allowed to fall by the wayside? The need for public health specialists… Until recent years the thought that humans not only lived well into their 80s and 90s, but lived vibrant lives was a concept that didn't seem to go hand in hand . However, today the thought is not only real, but the concept and relevance of “quality of life,” both before and during the twilight years, are more important than ever, thus making the demand and need for educators and healthcare professionals even greater support. So, what is public health…? The concept of public health is not foreign; it ultimately emerged from the practice of heroic medicine. Yet today it has evolved into something… middle of paper… we, knowingly or unknowingly, are at a greater risk that can and perhaps will take us to a dark place. If this trend is allowed to continue or, perhaps, disclosure through education is sufficient and people begin to make their health a priority, one thing is certain, either way, the future of the public health professional is not just bright but it will only continue to get brighter.Sources:1. www.whatispublichealth.org/what/index.html; Title: What is public health2. www.healthstate.mn.us/pathways/specialtyareas.html; Title: Public Health Career Specialty Areas; Public Health Subspecialties3. www.whatispublichealth.org/faqs/index; Title: What is public health? – Frequently asked questions4. www.pzfizerpublichealth.com/publichealthbooks.aspx5. www.whatispublichealth.org/impact/achievement.html; Title: What is public health? – Public health impact