Comprehensive Public Health Concepts and Research Methods

What is public health?

The science and practice of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting population health through organized societal efforts.

What are the three core functions of public health?

Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance.

What is the difference between public health and medicine?

Public health focuses on populations and prevention; medicine focuses on individuals and treatment.

What is primary prevention?

Preventing disease before it occurs (e.g., vaccines, clean water, smoking prevention).

What is secondary prevention?

Early detection of disease to improve outcomes (e.g., screening tests like mammograms or blood pressure checks).

What is tertiary prevention?

Reducing complications or disability from existing disease (e.g., rehab programs, chronic disease management).

What is epidemiology?

the study of how diseases and health conditions are distributed (who, when, where) and determined (causes, risk factors) in populations, with the goal of using that knowledge to control health problems, prevent illness, and improve public health

What is incidence?

The number of new cases of a disease in a population over a specified period of time.

What is prevalence?

The total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a specific point or period in time.

What is a cohort study?

An observational study that follows groups defined by exposure status over time to compare disease outcomes.

What is a case-control study?

An observational study that compares people with a disease (cases) to people without it (controls) to identify potential risk factors.

What is a randomized controlled trial (RCT)?

An experimental study in which participants are randomly assigned to intervention or control groups to test the effect of an exposure or treatment.

What is surveillance in public health?

Ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for use in public health action.

What is a major limitation of epidemiology?

Epidemiology often shows associations but cannot always prove causation due to confounding, bias, and measurement limitations.

What is the purpose of the Methods section in a journal article?

To describe in detail how the study was designed and conducted, allowing readers to assess validity and reproducibility.

Why is study design critical when interpreting research results?

Because design affects bias, confounding, generalizability, and the overall strength of the evidence.

What is peer review?

A process in which other experts evaluate a manuscript's quality, validity, and significance before publication.

What is the COM-B model?

A behavior model stating that Behavior (B) results from Capability (C), Opportunity (O), and Motivation (M).

What is the Behavior Change Wheel used for?

To systematically design, categorize, and evaluate behavior change interventions using COM-B at its hub.

Why must public health interventions be culturally tailored?

To ensure relevance, acceptability, equity, and effectiveness for specific communities and populations.

What is program evaluation in public health?

A systematic process to determine whether a program is being implemented as intended and achieving its goals and outcomes.

What are social determinants of health?

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that shape health risks and outcomes (e.g., income, education, housing).

What is health equity?

The state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health, requiring removal of obstacles like poverty and discrimination.

What is a health disparity?

A preventable difference in health outcomes or health care between groups, often linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantage.

What is structural bias?

Systemic policies, practices, and cultural norms that advantage some groups while disadvantaging others, leading to inequities in health and opportunity.

How does the built environment affect health?

It shapes opportunities for physical activity, access to healthy food, exposure to pollutants, injury risk, and social connection.

Why is physical inactivity a major public health threat?

Because it increases risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and mental health problems.

How does climate change impact health?

Through extreme heat, air pollution, food and water insecurity, shifting infectious disease patterns, displacement, and mental health stress.

Why have infectious diseases resurged globally?

Due to factors like global travel, urbanization, climate change, vaccine hesitancy, and antimicrobial resistance.

Why is lead exposure especially dangerous for children?

Because it can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental damage, learning problems, and behavioral issues at even low levels.

What did the Flint water crisis demonstrate about public health?

It highlighted environmental injustice, policy and regulatory failures, and the importance of surveillance and community advocacy.

What distinguishes global health from U.S. domestic public health?

Global health focuses on health issues that cross borders, emphasizes equity between countries, and often deals with resource-limited settings.

What is an example of a major global health success?

The eradication of smallpox through coordinated international vaccination efforts.

Is the U.S. healthcare system a public health issue?

Yes, because access, cost, quality, and fragmentation of care directly influence population health and health inequities.

What role does government play in public health?

Setting and enforcing health policy, funding programs, conducting surveillance, regulating hazards, and coordinating emergency response.

What does "universal health coverage" mean?

That all people receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

What is informed consent in research?

A process in which participants are given clear, understandable information about a study and voluntarily agree to take part.

What ethical violations occurred in Henrietta Lacks' case?

Her cells were taken and used without her knowledge or consent, reflecting racial exploitation and lack of respect for autonomy.

What does IRB stand for?

Institutional Review Board.

What is the purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

To review research involving human participants and ensure that risks are minimized, benefits are reasonable, and rights and welfare are protected.

What are the basic steps of a public health program?

Conduct a needs assessment, plan the program, implement the intervention, and evaluate processes and outcomes.

What skills are essential for public health professionals?

Skills in data analysis, critical thinking, communication, cultural humility, ethics, teamwork, and policy understanding.

Why is interdisciplinary collaboration essential in public health?

Because complex health problems involve medical, social, environmental, economic, and political factors that require multiple fields working together.