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. Massachusetts has 75 practicing public health doctors. Broken out by city, public health doctor density in Acton is 1, in Boston is 25, in Braintree is 1, in Brighton is 1, in Brockton is 1, in Brookline is 1, in Cambridge is 4, in Chestnut Hill is 2, in Concord is 2, in Danvers is 1, in Dorchester is 3, in Dorchester Center is 3, in Fall River is 1, in Holyoke is 1, in Hopedale is 1, in Jamaica Plain is 4, in Lenox is 1, in Lincoln is 1, in Lowell is 1, in Mashpee is 1, in Mattapan is 2, in Medfield is 1, in Milton is 1, in Natick is 1, in Needham is 1, in Norton is 1, in Norwood is 1, in Peabody is 1, in Quincy is 3, in Roxbury is 3, in Somerville is 1, in South Boston is 1, in South Hadley is 1, in Springfield is 3, in Turners Falls is 1, in Waban is 2, in Waltham is 1, in Ware is 1, in Watertown is 2, in Wellesley is 4, in Wellesley Hills is 1, in West Newton is 1, in West Roxbury is 1, in Weston is 1, in Woburn is 1, in Worcester is 5, and in Yarmouth Port is 1.

Massachusetts became the sixth state in the union in 1788, and is steeped in history. Boston, the capital city, is home to Harvard University, the John F. Kennedy Museum and Library, the Paul Revere House, and many other historical sites. Massachusetts is home to the New England Pirate Museum in Salem, the Minute Man National Historical Park, and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, both in Concord. Four past presidents were born in Massachusetts; John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy and George H. W. Bush. Other famous Massachusetts people include actors Leonard Nimoy and Bette Davis, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, and historical figures Susan B. Anthony, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Massachusetts has a population of 6,398,743. Of this population, 1,419,389 are under the age of 18 and 848,924 are at or above the age of 65.