PH 101 TEST 1

A popular definition of Public Health includes: 

“The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals”

 What do we mean by the “science” of preventing disease?

A. The use of active listening techniques and non-confrontational language

B. The use of theories and methods to evaluate and act upon disease

B. The use of theories and methods to evaluate and act upon disease

These are typically considered the four academic areas of study in public health?

A. Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Sociology

B. Anthropology, Communications, Calculus, Microbiology

C. Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Policy, and Health Behavior

D. Biology, Communications, English, Physical Education

C. Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Policy, and Health Behavior

Since 1900 the average lifespan of a person living in the United States has: 

A. Increased by 30 years

B. Increased by 10 years

C. Decreased by 10 years

D. Decreased by 20 years

E. Has not changed

A. Increased by 30 years

This picture illustrates the: 

A. Ecological Fallacy

B. Epidemiological Transition

C. Diseases in the 18th century

D. None of the above

B. Epidemiological Transition

This person turned medicine away from mysticism and religion, and towards observation and reason? (hint: considered the Father of Medicine)

A. James Lind

B. Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

C. John Snow

D. Hippocrates

D. Hippocrates

This person suggested the use of quarantine to limit the spread of contagious diseases? (Hint: wrote medical textbooks that were used throughout Europe for hundreds of years)

A. James Lind

B. Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

C. John Snow

D. Hippocrates

B. Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

John Snow is famous for studying the cause (i.e., etiology) of this waterborne disease?

A. Cholera

B. Lyme disease

C. Malaria

D. Plague

A. Cholera

The concept of _____________, focuses on the relationship between human health, animal health, and ecosystem health (this includes climate change)

A. World Health

B. One Health

C. My Health

D. None of the above

B. One Health

The ____________________ are conditions in the environment in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes.  

A. Social Determinants of Health

B. Redlining Rules

C. Neighborhood Culture

D. None of the above

A. Social Determinants of Health

What was the primary purpose of redlining as practiced in the United States during the mid-20th century?

A. To provide equal access to mortgage loans for all communities

B. To systematically deny or limit financial services to certain neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition

C. To promote affordable housing in urban areas

D. To increase property values in diverse neighborhoods

B. To systematically deny or limit financial services to certain neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition

Which of the following is NOT considered a health disparity? 

A. Similar rates of influenza among two population groups

B. Differences in life expectancy between different racial or ethnic groups

C. Higher rates of chronic diseases in low-income communities compared to higher-income communities

D. Varied access to health insurance among different geographical regions

A. Similar rates of influenza among two population groups

Which of the following best describes a downstream factor affecting health?

A. National health policies and regulations

B. Socioeconomic status and income inequality

C. Access to affordable housing and education

D. Lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise

D. Lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise

Which of the following is an example of an upstream factor affecting health?

A. Social policies and economic conditions that shape living conditions and access to resources

B. Individual health behaviors, such as smoking or diet

C. Personal adherence to medication regimens

D. Genetic predisposition

A. Social policies and economic conditions that shape living conditions and access to resources

A(n) ______________ is a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person:

A. Placebo

B. Anecdote

C. Pejorative

D. Haiku

B. Anecdote

Current epidemiological concepts and methods have evolved since the 18^th century in a series of well-defined steps primarily based upon two principles:

A. Logic AND Reason

B. Observation AND Randomized Control Trials

C. Randomization AND Biostatistics

D. Population Thinking AND Group Comparisons

D. Population Thinking AND Group Comparisons

Which of the following is Descriptive Epidemiology?

A. Do wearing masks reduce absenteeism?

B. How many flu cases were there every month in 2024?

C. Is vaping associated with the risk of asthma

D. Are runners less likely to get colds?

B. How many flu cases were there every month in 2024?

Which of the following is an Analytical Epidemiological question?

A. How many Emergency Room visits occurred this week?

B. What is measles rate by county?

C. How many clinics offer vaccines?

D. Is working in a cafeteria associated with stomach illness?

D. Is working in a cafeteria associated with stomach illness?

For public health professionals, the “patient” is: 

A. An individual

B. The collective health of the people in a community or population

B. The collective health of the people in a community or population

What are the two types (or classifications) of Populations in public health research? (1 point)

A. Immigrating AND Emigrating

B. Fixed AND Dynamic

C. Together AND Broken

D. Expanding AND Regressing

B. Fixed AND Dynamic

“Have you ever been a student enrolled at the University of Louisville”, is which type of population? (1 point)

A. Fixed

B. Dynamic

A. Fixed

“Do you currently have a diagnosis of Influenza A”, is which type of population? (1 point)

A. Fixed

B. Dynamic

B. Dynamic

Which of the following is TRUE regarding public health research? (1 point)

A. We start with a Sample and then take a Population from that Sample; we then divide the Population up into Groups for comparison (e.g. Smokers vs. Non-Smokers)

B. We start with a Population and then take a Sample from that Population; we then divide the Sample up into Groups for comparison (e.g. Smokers vs. Non-Smokers)

B. We start with a Population and then take a Sample from that Population; we then divide the Sample up into Groups for comparison (e.g. Smokers vs. Non-Smokers)

To estimate the percentage of students experiencing food insecurity, we surveyed students leaving the campus dining hall between 5–7 pm on two weekdays.

Would the percentage of students experiencing food insecurity in this sample be:

A. Over-estimated

B. Under-estimated

C. Not biased

B. Under-estimated

Which term is essentially another word for bias in a study’s results?

A. Random error

B. Sampling variability

C. Systematic error

D. Precision

C. Systematic error

Researchers want to estimate physical activity levels among all college students but recruit participants only from students leaving the campus recreation center.

What is the primary concern? (1 point)

A. Information Bias

B. Confounding

C. Selection Bias

D. Random error

C. Selection Bias

Researchers ask adults to remember exactly how many hours they exercised each week during the previous five years to investigate if there is an association between exercise and ALS

If participants cannot accurately remember their past exercise, their exposure may be misclassified.

This is primarily an example of:

A. Information Bias

B. Confounding

C. Selection Bias

D. Random error

A. Information Bias

A study finds that people who carry lighters are more likely to develop lung cancer.

However, people who carry lighters are also more likely to smoke cigarettes, and smoking is associated with lung cancer.

In this example, smoking is most likely a:

A. Exposure

B. Confounder

C. Study Outcome

D. Sample

B. Confounder

You recently began working at the local health department in Hart County, KY. Your boss gives you an end-of-year report containing important health data.

On August 21, 2020, there were 300 known active cases of COVID-19 in Hart County. The total population of Hart County was 14,570.

Which calculation would you use to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in Hart County on August 21, 2020?

A. 300 ÷ 14,570

B. 14,570 ÷ 300

C. 300 ÷ 365

D. 14,570 ÷ 365

A. 300 ÷ 14,570

Devon would like to measure the prevalence of prostate cancer among men in the Baby Boomer generation (i.e., people born between 1946 and 1964). 

Which of the following best represents Devon's target population?

A. Anyone born between 1946 and 1964

B. Men who were born between 1946 and 1964

C. Anyone born after the year 2001

D. Women born after 1945

B. Men who were born between 1946 and 1964

Researchers enroll a group of adults who currently vape and a group who do not vape. They follow both groups for five years to determine who develops respiratory disease. What type of study is this?

A. Cross-sectional study

B. Case-control study

C. Cohort study

D. Randomized controlled trial

C. Cohort study

Researchers identify people who have lung cancer and people who do not have lung cancer. They then look back at participants' previous smoking histories. What type of study is this?

A. Cross-sectional study

B. Case-control study

C. Cohort study

D. Randomized controlled trial

B. Case-control study

When epidemiologists say that an exposure “increases the risk” of a disease, what does this mean?

A. he exposure guarantees the disease will occur.

B. The exposure has been proven to cause the disease.

C. The disease is more common in the exposed group.

D. The disease occurs only among exposed individuals.

C. The disease is more common in the exposed group.

A study finds that people who drink caffeinated energy drinks every day tend to report higher levels of stress. Which conclusion is MOST appropriate?

A. Caffeinated energy drink consumption and stress are associated.

B. Stress is a direct cause of caffeinated energy drink consumption.

C. Caffeinated energy drink consumption is a direct cause of stress.

D. Caffeinated energy drink consumption and stress are unrelated.

A. Caffeinated energy drink consumption and stress are associated.

A community notices that rates of Type 2 diabetes have increased over the past several years. Public health professionals begin by examining how common diabetes is, which groups are most affected, and how rates differ across the community.

Which component of the PERIE framework are they primarily addressing?

A. Problem

B. Etiology

C. Recommendation

D. Implementation

E. Evaluation

A. Problem

How would you describe the spatial distribution of angiosarcoma cases diagnosed in Jefferson County, KY, during 1945?

A. The cases of Angiosarcoma appear to be randomly distributed.

B. The cases of Angiosarcoma appear to be non-randomly distributed.

A. The cases of Angiosarcoma appear to be randomly distributed.

A public health team finds that one neighborhood has substantially higher rates of childhood asthma than surrounding neighborhoods. Further analysis shows that children in the neighborhood are also more likely to live near major roadways and experience higher levels of traffic-related air pollution.

The team begins examining whether these exposures are associated with the higher rates of asthma observed in the neighborhood.

Which component of the PERIE framework does this BEST represent?

A. Problem

B. Etiology

C. Recommendation

D. Implementation

E. Evaluation

B. Etiology

Deterministic Causality evaluates exposures as either “Necessary” or “Sufficient” or some variation thereof.

Exposure to Factor X is known to contribute to Disease Y.

However, some people who are exposed to Factor X never develop Disease Y, and Disease Y can also develop among people who were never exposed to Factor X.

Using a Deterministic Causality framework, how should we describe Factor X as it relates to Disease Y?

A. Factor X is Sufficient but not Necessary to cause Disease Y.

B. Factor X is Necessary but not Sufficient to cause Disease Y.

C. Factor X is Necessary and Sufficient to cause Disease Y.

D. Factor X is Neither Necessary nor Sufficient to cause Disease Y.

D. Factor X is Neither Necessary nor Sufficient to cause Disease Y.

Which of the following scenarios describes a Necessary (needed) BUT NOT Sufficient (enough) cause in deterministic causality?

A. A genetic mutation is required for a specific disease to occur, but the disease does not always develop when the mutation is present.

B. Exposure to a specific virus always leads to the disease, and the disease cannot occur without exposure to the virus.

C. A behavioral factor increases the risk of developing a disease, but the disease can occur without that factor.

D. An environmental exposure contributes to disease risk, but not everyone exposed develops the disease and the disease can occur without the exposure.

A. A genetic mutation is required for a specific disease to occur, but the disease does not always develop when the mutation is present.

The following is an example of Rothman’s Causal Pie. This illustration shows a number of causes related to Hepatitis C infection. Which component cause is NECESSARY?

A. IV Drug Use

B. Hepatitis C Virus

C. Poor Nutrition

D. Poor social network

B. Hepatitis C Virus

A public health organization reviews the available evidence and concludes that a new intervention has substantial benefits and should be used in the population.

Which component of PERIE does this BEST represent?

A. Problem

B. Etiology

C. Recommendation

D. Implementation

E. Evaluation

C. Recommendation

The COVID-19 vaccination initiative is an example of :

A. Primary Prevention

B. Secondary Prevention

C. Tertiary Prevention

A. Primary Prevention

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45.  

This recommendation is an example of a:

A. Primary Prevention

B. Secondary Prevention

C. Tertiary Prevention

B. Secondary Prevention

Researchers find that a new public health intervention has very little evidence available to determine whether its benefits outweigh its harms.

Which recommendation grade would be MOST appropriate based on the framework discussed in class?

A. Grade A

B. Grade B

C. Grade D

D. Grade I

D. Grade I

A community health program provides free exercise classes for adults who have already been diagnosed with heart disease to help reduce further complications and improve their long-term  heart health. Participants receive a small reward for attending a certain number of classes.

Which TWO implementation concepts are BEST represented by this program?

A. Primary Prevention + Motivation

B. Secondary Prevention + Information

C. Tertiary Prevention + Motivation

D. Tertiary Prevention + Information

C. Tertiary Prevention + Motivation

A public health department implements a program designed to increase physical activity among adults. Six months later, the department compares participants' physical activity levels with the levels measured before the program began.

Which component of PERIE does this BEST represent? 

A. Evaluation

B. Implementation

C. Recommendation

D. Etiology

E. Problem

A. Evaluation

Which public health data source provides the most complete data on births and deaths in the United States?

A. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

B. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

C. National Vital Statistics System (NVSS)

D. National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP)

C. National Vital Statistics System (NVSS)

What makes the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) unique among major national surveys?

A. It collects only death certificate information

B. It combines data from interviews and physical examinations

C. It collects information only from hospitalized patients

D. It is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys

B. It combines data from interviews and physical examinations

Which public health data source primarily collects information about health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services through telephone surveys?

A. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

B. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

C. National Vital Statistics System (NVSS)

D. National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP)

A. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Which population health measure combines life expectancy with quality of life?

A. Infant mortality rate

B. Under-5 mortality rate

C. Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY)

D. Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE)

D. Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE)

When comparing population health measures between countries, which of the following is an important assumption?

A. Each country has the same population size

B. Each country has the same life expectancy

C. Case definitions and surveillance are comparable

D. All countries collect data using national surveys

C. Case definitions and surveillance are comparable

A health headline states, “Cases increased by 50%,” but does NOT explain that the number of cases increased from 2 to 3.

Which best describes this?

A. Incomplete information

B. Misinformation

C. Disinformation

D. Qualitative information

A. Incomplete information

A person is especially frightened by a health hazard because it can produce severe, highly visual, and feared consequences.

Which factor is most likely influencing their perception?

A. Unfamiliarity effect

B. Certainty effect

C. Dread effect

D. Uncontrollability effect

C. Dread effect

Which of the following is the BEST example of effective risk communication?

A. "Your risk triples after exposure."

B. “Risk increased from 1 in 10,000 to 3 in 10,000."

C. The exposure was associated with a significant increase in risk.

D. “The exposure increased risk by 100% compared with those who were not exposed.”

B. “Risk increased from 1 in 10,000 to 3 in 10,000."

Which THREE types of information are included in the decision-tree approach discussed in class?

A. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality

B. Exposure, outcome, and confounding

C. Risks, benefits, and surveillance

D. Outcomes, probabilities, and subjective utilities

D. Outcomes, probabilities, and subjective utilities

Which statement best describes socioeconomic status (SES)?

A. SES is based only on a person’s race

B. SES includes income, education, occupation, and social position.

C. SES is determined primarily by genetics.

D. SES only affects health through access to healthcare.

B. SES includes income, education, occupation, and social position.

Which of the following best EXPLAINS WHY individuals with lower income often experience worse health outcomes?

A. They are less motivated to make healthy choices.

B. They are biologically predisposed to illness.

C. They receive more medical attention than higher-income groups.

D. They face greater exposure to stressors, unsafe environments, and limited resources.

D. They face greater exposure to stressors, unsafe environments, and limited resources.

In a city, predominantly Black communities experience higher rates of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Research suggests that systemic racism contributes to these differences.

How can systemic racism contribute to poorer health outcomes in these communities?

A. It improves access to healthcare and resources.

B. It reduces health disparities across the community.

C. It creates barriers to resources and opportunities.

D. It ensures equal healthcare for everyone.

C. It creates barriers to resources and opportunities.

In poor areas of Asia and Africa where wood is available, indoor pollution from the use of wood-burning stoves is a major cause of lung disease. When cheaper alternatives are provided, they are rapidly accepted. 

This statement best shows which of the following influences on health?

A. Cultural

B. Economic

C. Religious

B. Economic

In the United States, male circumcision is performed on~60% of newborn Christian males, despite the fact that Christianity does not take a position on male circumcision. 

This statement best shows which of the following influences on health?

A. Cultural

B. Religious

C. Economic

A. Cultural

A student who previously never drank alcohol began to binge drink when she transferred to a new college in which her fellow classmates spent every Friday night binge drinking. 

This scenario best fit which of the following ways that social systems can influence individual behavior?

A. Shaping norms

B. Enforcing patterns of social control

C. Providing opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors

D. Reducing stress for which certain behaviors may be an effective coping strategy

A. Shaping norms

A workplace implements strict policies that prohibit smoking on company property and imposes fines on employees who violate this rule. As a result, many employees quit smoking or significantly reduce their tobacco use. 

This scenario best illustrates which way social systems can influence individual behavior?

A. Shaping norms

B. Enforcing patterns of social control

C. Providing opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors

D. Reducing stress for which certain behaviors may be an effective coping strategy

B. Enforcing patterns of social control

Joseph tells his wife that there is no way that he is going to get a colonoscopy.

Which of the following stages of behavioral change is best reflected in this statement?

A. Precontemplation

B. Contemplation

C. Preparation

D. Action

E. Maintenance

A. Precontemplation

Alia used to drink multiple sodas every day, but after learning about the health effects of excessive sugar intake, they decided to switch to water and healthier drink options. For the past eight months, Alia has consistently avoided sugary drinks, even when hanging out with friends who still drink soda. They no longer feel tempted and have fully embraced their new habit.

Which stage of the Stages of Change Model does Alia’s behavior best represent?

A. Precontemplation

B. Contemplation

C. Preparation

D. Action

E. Maintenance

E. Maintenance

Which Health Belief Model construct focuses on an individual’s belief that a health problem is serious and could have severe consequences?

A. Perceived susceptibility

B. Perceived severity

C. Perceived barriers

D. Cues to action

B. Perceived severity

Liam has been hearing conflicting information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine on social media. Some sources claim it causes serious side effects, while others suggest it is completely safe. As a result, Liam is unsure whether the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. He is hesitant to get vaccinated and continues to wait for more information.

Which construct of the Health Belief Model does Liam’s behavior best represent?

A. Perceived susceptibility

B. Perceived benefits

C. Perceived barriers

D. Cues to action

C. Perceived barriers

Which document is the supreme law of the United States?

A. The Constitution of the United States of America 

B. Resolutions handed down by the World Health Organization  

C. The Supreme Court of the United States of America

D. The Declaration of Independence 

A. The Constitution of the United States of America 

If it’s not stated in the Constitution, and it’s not illegal by federal law, then the States are granted the power over the issue. We call this power “Police Power”.

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes this possible? 

A. The First Amendment

B. The Second Amendment

C. The Fourth Amendment

D. The Tenth Amendment

D. The Tenth Amendment

Why might public health laws or policies differ from one state to another?

A. The Constitution requires every state to use different health laws.

B. States retain substantial authority over health, safety, and welfare.

C. Federal laws never apply to public health.

D. Local governments have authority over the federal government.

B. States retain substantial authority over health, safety, and welfare.

Administrative _____________ establish the steps necessary to achieve compliance with the ______________. 

A. Statutes / Regulations

B. Laws / Executive Orders

C. Regulations / Statutes

D. Memos / Judicial Law

C. Regulations / Statutes

A state legislature passes a law requiring restaurants to meet certain food-safety standards. A state agency then develops detailed rules explaining how restaurants must comply.

The agency's rules are an example of:

A. Statutory law

B. Constitutional Law

C. Administrative Regulations

D. Judicial Law

C. Administrative Regulations

Which statement best describes the relationship between law and policy?

A. Every health policy is a law.

B. Only governments can create health policies.

C. Laws and policies mean exactly the same thing.

D. Policies can guide health-related actions without necessarily being laws

D. Policies can guide health-related actions without necessarily being laws

Which of the following principles best summarizes the concept of SOCIAL justice? 

A. Individuals are primarily responsible for their own health

B. Health care is a right

C. Health care is the most efficiently provided through the private sector

D. All of these are correct

B. Health care is a right

Which statement is MOST consistent with a market justice perspective?

A. Individuals are primarily responsible for their own health and healthcare decisions.

B. Healthcare should always be provided by government.

C. Society has a collective responsibility to ensure everyone can achieve good health.

D. Government should eliminate all differences in health outcomes.

A. Individuals are primarily responsible for their own health and healthcare decisions.

All of the following are TRUE of a right to health care in the US, EXCEPT: 

A. A right to health care is guaranteed by the US Constitution

B. Physicians are not under a legal obligation to accept new patients

C. There is limited right to receive health care for life-threatening conditions

D. All of these are true.

A. A right to health care is guaranteed by the US Constitution

A city prohibits smoking inside restaurants because secondhand smoke exposes employees and customers who did not choose the exposure.

This policy most directly illustrates:

A. Protecting individual freedom over population health needs

B. Balancing individual rights with the community's well being

C. Market justice

D. Justice in research ethics

B. Balancing individual rights with the community's well being

A public health intervention limits individual freedom.

Before implementing it, officials ask whether a less restrictive intervention could achieve the same public health goal.

Which ethical consideration are they applying?

A. Effectiveness

B. Public justification

C. Least infringement

D. Impartiality

C. Least infringement

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of Health in All Policies?

A. A physician treating a patient with hypertension

B. A public health department conducting a vaccination campaign

C. A hospital purchasing new diagnostic equipment

D. City planners designing neighborhoods with sidewalks, parks, and bike lanes

D. City planners designing neighborhoods with sidewalks, parks, and bike lanes

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about protections of research subjects in the United States?

A. Research subject in the US have been protected based upon international law

B. The US has never experienced a large-scale violation of the rights of research subjects

C. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are organized to protect the rights of research participants

D. Research subjects can be assured that treatments offered to them are 100% safe

C. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are organized to protect the rights of research participants

Which of the following statements describes Beneficence? 

A. Individuals should be treated as autonomous agents

B. Do not deny benefit to people who are entitled to the benefit

C. People with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection

D. Maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms

D. Maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms