ATI RN
History of Public Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
The development of which public health practice in the 19th century helped reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Improvement of sanitation and water supply systems. This practice helped reduce the spread of infectious diseases like cholera by ensuring clean water supply and proper waste disposal, preventing contamination. Hospitals (A) treat but do not prevent diseases like cholera. Antibiotics (B) were not discovered until the 20th century and are used to treat bacterial infections, not prevent the spread of diseases. Public health insurance (D) provides financial support for healthcare but does not directly impact disease prevention measures like sanitation improvements.
Question 2 of 5
Which U.S. public health milestone was instrumental in reducing maternal and infant mortality in the 20th century?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The introduction of prenatal care programs. Prenatal care programs play a crucial role in monitoring the health of pregnant women and their babies, thereby reducing the risk of complications and improving outcomes. These programs provide education, screenings, and interventions to ensure the well-being of both mother and child. By receiving early and regular prenatal care, women are more likely to have healthier pregnancies and deliveries, leading to a decrease in maternal and infant mortality rates. Incorrect choices: A: The establishment of the CDC - While the CDC plays a significant role in public health, its focus is broader and not specifically targeted at reducing maternal and infant mortality. C: The establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency - The EPA's primary focus is on environmental regulations and protection, not directly related to maternal and infant health. D: The development of the first flu vaccine - While vaccines are important for public health, the first flu vaccine did not specifically target maternal and infant mortality rates.
Question 3 of 5
Which key public health achievement in the 20th century helped to reduce the global spread of polio?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The introduction of the polio vaccine. This achievement significantly reduced the global spread of polio by providing immunity against the virus. The vaccine was developed in the 1950s and played a crucial role in almost eradicating polio worldwide. The establishment of the CDC (B) is important for public health but did not directly target polio. Antibiotics (C) are used to treat bacterial infections, not viral diseases like polio. The development of the tuberculosis vaccine (D) is unrelated to the prevention of polio. Therefore, the introduction of the polio vaccine is the key public health achievement that directly impacted the reduction of the global spread of polio.
Question 4 of 5
Which public health initiative in the 1960s was a key factor in reducing smoking-related deaths in the United States?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. This report, released in 1964, provided clear evidence of the link between smoking and health issues, leading to increased public awareness and support for anti-smoking initiatives. The report also prompted the government to implement policies such as warning labels on cigarette packages and bans on tobacco advertising. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The National Cancer Act focused on cancer research and treatment, not specifically on smoking-related deaths. C: The creation of the National Health Service in the UK did not directly impact smoking-related deaths in the United States. D: The Clean Air Act primarily aimed to reduce air pollution, not specifically smoking-related deaths.
Question 5 of 5
Which significant public health policy introduced in the 1960s focused on providing health insurance for elderly Americans?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The Medicare Act. This policy, introduced in the 1960s, specifically aimed to provide health insurance for elderly Americans aged 65 and older. Medicare is a federal program that helps cover healthcare costs for this demographic. A: The Social Security Act primarily focused on providing financial assistance to retirees and the disabled, not health insurance for the elderly. B: The Medicaid Act was introduced in the 1960s as well, but it provides health coverage for low-income individuals of all ages, not just the elderly. D: The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 and aimed to increase access to healthcare for all Americans, not specifically targeting the elderly population in the 1960s.