Emergency medicine and the health of the public: The critical role of emergency departments in US public health

Emergency departments (EDs) are situated in a critical location at the interface of the American population and the health care system. One cannot wear blinders and work in emergency medicine; all the health problems and many of the social problems of society come to rest on the doorstep. Community members often view EDs as the main door into hospitals, whereas health professionals can conceptually understand the ED as a window on the health and social needs of the people. Understanding the interplay between medicine and public health is critical to addressing the health needs of Americans. This has been an issue previously recognized by the Institutes of Medicine [1,2]. Emergency physicians and their coworkers within and outside of EDs have the opportunity to improve the health of communities though understanding their health and social needs and developing appropriate and effective interventions.