public health quiz

Main difference between public health and medicine

Public health focuses on preventing disease and illness in populations, whereas medicine focuses on treating disease and illness in individual patients.

Three levels of prevention in public health

primary, secondary, and tertiary.

primary

prevents disease or injury before it occurs

secondary

detects disease early to prevent progression

tertiary

manages illness to prevent disability and maximize function

Five health-service categories

Health promotion, specific protection, early case finding, disability limitation, and rehabilitation.

Definition of health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Social Ecological Model

A framework illustrating that health outcomes are shaped by factors across individual, interpersonal, organizational/community, and policy levels.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A calculated measure of body weight relative to height used to assess body composition status.

Risk factors for obesity

Physical inactivity, poor diet, inadequate sleep, high stress, underlying health conditions, certain medications, and environmental influences.

Health conditions associated with obesity

Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Public health approach to obesity

Focuses on making the healthy choice the easy choice by ensuring healthy options are affordable and accessible, rather than relying solely on individual encouragement.

Importance of population vaccination coverage

Achieves herd immunity, which requires approximately $80\%+$ community vaccination coverage to prevent widespread disease transmission.

Factors causing the shift from infectious to chronic disease mortality

Improvements in sanitation, housing, vaccination, and reduced early exposures extended lifespans, causing chronic diseases to become the leading causes of death.

Recommendations of the Flexner Report

Advocated for higher medical school entrance standards and hands-on clinical training through 'learning by doing'.

Lasting impact of the Flexner Report on Black physicians

Led to the closure of most Black medical schools, resulting in a persistent and long-term shortage of Black physicians.

Core values of public health

Prevention, health equity, community empowerment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and attention to physical environments.

Difference between Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare is a federal health program primarily for older adults, while Medicaid provides coverage for low-income individuals and families with costly health needs.

Barriers to health in Cora's case study

Financial constraints, graduate school time scarcity, long commutes / lack of campus proximity, and a lack of established healthy habits or incentives.

Social Ecological Model level for a university health promotion program

Community (or organizational) level, as it alters the local environment through healthy dining discounts, cooking classes, and vending options.