Public health is the science of preventive health of the general public. A public health physician is concerned with prevention of disease by promoting vaccinations and immunizations and other public health services. This physician may have a background in epidemiology, or environmental, behavioral or occupational health. The public health physician may also direct health programs for governmental or private agencies. This specialist analyzes community health trends, and may consult with other physicians, community organizations or welfare agencies.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Maryland has 121 practicing public health doctors. Broken out by city, public health doctor density in Aberdeen Proving Ground is 3, in Andrews Afb is 1, in Annapolis is 2, in Baltimore is 28, in Bethesda is 18, in Bowie is 1, in Catonsville is 3, in Centreville is 2, in Chestertown is 1, in Chevy Chase is 1, in Columbia is 3, in Elkton is 1, in Ellicott City is 2, in Fort Detrick is 2, in Fort Meade is 1, in Frederick is 1, in Gaithersburg is 2, in Gunpowder is 1, in Hagerstown is 2, in Halethorpe is 1, in Hunt Valley is 1, in Hyattsville is 2, in Lanham is 1, in Lutherville is 1, in Lutherville Timonium is 1, in Millersville is 1, in North Potomac is 1, in Oakland is 1, in Odenton is 1, in Patuxent River is 2, in Potomac is 1, in Rockville is 12, in Rosedale is 1, in Salisbury is 1, in Silver Spring is 22, in Temple Hills is 1, in Towson is 1, and in Windsor Mill is 1.

Maryland was one of the thirteen original colonies, and achieved statehood in 1788. Maryland’s population is 5,600,388; Annapolis is its capital and home to the U.S. Naval Academy. Baltimore is the largest city, and is home to world-acclaimed Johns-Hopkins University and Hospital. There are myriad activities available for residents or visitors, including arts and theater, sports, museums, hiking, biking and walking trails, Famous people from Maryland include musician Frank Zappa, baseball great Babe Ruth, and Francis Scott Key, who wrote the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

According to 2005 Census estimates, Maryland has a population of 5,600,388. Of this population, 1,360,481 are under the age of 18 and 641,040 are at or above the age of 65.