1. Issues, concerns, or difficulties that affect society as a whole or a significant portion of the population, requiring collective attention or governmental action
Healthcare and education are major public problems that governments must address.
Saúde e educação são problemas públicos importantes que os governos devem enfrentar.
2. Social issues that are openly discussed and debated in the media and public discourse
Climate change has become one of the most pressing public problems of our time.
A mudança climática tornou-se um dos problemas públicos mais urgentes da nossa época.