Unit 10 – HLTH 1000: Health in Modern Society

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Unit 10: Public Health fundamentals, disease transmission, environmental health, built environment, global health issues, policy, and personal roles.

Public Health

Field focused on improving community health through disease prevention, education, and policy.

Disease Transmission

The passage of a pathogen from one host or source to another.

Direct Contact

Transmission route involving physical touch between an infected host and a new host.

Airborne Transmission

Spread of pathogens through droplets or aerosols suspended in the air.

Vector

An organism (e.g., mosquito, tick) that carries and transmits pathogens between hosts.

Vaccine

Biological preparation that stimulates immunity to prevent specific diseases.

Handwashing

Simple hygiene practice that removes pathogens and reduces infection risk.

Quarantine

Isolation of persons or goods to prevent disease spread.

Environmental Health

Branch of public health concerned with how environmental factors affect human health.

Physical Hazard

Environmental factor such as UV radiation or noise that can harm health.

Chemical Hazard

Toxic substances like pesticides or industrial pollution posing health risks.

Biological Hazard

Living organisms or their products (e.g., mold, allergens) that can cause illness.

Healthy Built Environment

Man-made surroundings designed to promote health through factors like air quality, green space, and transport access.

Green Space

Parks, gardens, or natural areas in urban settings that support physical and mental health.

Global Health

Study and practice of improving health and achieving equity for all people worldwide.

Emerging Disease

New or rapidly increasing infectious disease posing public health challenges.

Antibiotic Resistance

Ability of microbes to withstand drugs that once killed them, reducing treatment effectiveness.

Health Policy

Legislation or regulations that influence population health, such as tobacco laws or sanitation standards.

Advocacy

Active support or promotion of public health policies and practices.

Personal Public Health Role

Individual actions—vaccination, hygiene, policy support, education—to contribute to community health.