Public health is considered an important welfare that we receive from society. It depends heavily on advancements in science and technology in medicine and the policies implementing it, meaning they should work together. When we are informed about science, and when our knowledge aligns with societal needs, medicine innovates and society becomes healthier.
One of the reasons society should be informed about science is that environmental health is closely interlinked with medicine, requiring a scientific approach. For example, some nations in Southeast Asia face problems with pathogens in agriculture, making them vulnerable to diseases. The United Kingdom and Japan have also faced diseases related to environmental factors. Therefore, in order to prevent and respond to medical issues that have arisen or may arise, society—including us—must learn and understand how to develop solutions scientifically.
For instance, the UK and Japan were able to respond properly to diseases because they knew how to solve the issue through preserving nature and studying related sciences. The British government realized that their prevention measures were insufficient when the disease first spread. They investigated the origin, identified causes—including pathogens and methane gas—and found ways to inhibit the spread. When a similar disease occurred in Miyazaki-ken, Japan, the Japanese government declared it a national crisis and found eco-friendly solutions, preventing the disease from spreading to other regions. After all these efforts, they were able to end the crisis in four months.
With technological advancements, more innovative solutions are emerging to create a healthier environment—such as the use of AI and microorganisms in agriculture—proving that scientific innovation plays a crucial role in securing proper medical care. If we strengthen scientific development, we will be able to protect our health by utilizing the environment effectively.
The Role of Society in Advancing Medical Technologies
Society also plays an important role in developing medical technology, depending on how well it utilizes and collaborates with science. To enhance healthcare through technology, society’s role becomes just as significant.
For example, in Finland, the country successfully adopted a digital health system, made possible by proper legal regulations and strong government leadership. Australia also developed a similar digital health system, implemented at a national level by the government. Additionally, many universities in South Korea rely heavily on government funding for their research. All these cases demonstrate that scientific progress is empowered by a well-functioning society, showing that politics is responsible for making public health better.
Even if we succeed in improving medical technology through science, society must be mature enough to benefit from it. One major challenge is equality.
In Afghanistan, high infant mortality rates were once a serious social issue. From 2000 to 2015, there were significant improvements in lowering the mortality rate and enhancing medical care—until the Taliban took control. After the Taliban’s rule, health inequality became a major issue, as women were no longer allowed to enter public hospitals. Similarly, health inequality is a problem in the United States, where the gap between rich and poor determines the quality of healthcare they can receive. Even though the United States has highly advanced medical technology, some people cannot access its benefits due to inequality.
While science and politics may seem unrelated, the truth is that technological advances can only succeed when society puts effort into supporting them. Professors from KAIST have stated that “freedom of science resembles how citizens in a democratic society seek justice.”
To build a healthier society—both physically and mentally—we need highly advanced science and a more mature, informed, and just society. As citizens of a democratic country, we must preserve constitutionalism, promote democracy, support innovation, and protect ourselves through technological progress.
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By. Hangyul Park