What major piece of public health legislation passed in the 1960s expanded healthcare access for the elderly in the United States?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, the Medicare and Medicaid Act. This legislation, passed in the 1960s, specifically expanded healthcare access for the elderly in the United States by establishing the Medicare program. Medicare provides health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older. Medicaid, also part of this act, provides healthcare coverage for low-income individuals. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The Medicaid Act primarily focuses on providing healthcare coverage for low-income individuals, not specifically the elderly. B: The Social Security Act established social security benefits, not healthcare access for the elderly. D: The National Health Service Act is a UK legislation and not related to expanding healthcare access for the elderly in the US.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The Clean Air Act. This legislation was indeed launched in the 1970s to address air quality and industrial pollution in the U.S. It set standards for air quality, regulated industrial emissions, and aimed to protect public health. The other choices are incorrect because: B: The Safe Drinking Water Act focuses on ensuring safe drinking water, not air quality. C: The Environmental Protection Agency Act established the EPA to oversee environmental regulations but does not specifically target air quality improvement. D: The National Health Policy Act is not a specific initiative related to air quality or industrial pollution.

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.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The Declaration of Alma-Ata. This event marked the beginning of a global effort to address public health disparities and health inequities by emphasizing primary healthcare as a fundamental right for all. It recognized the importance of addressing social determinants of health and promoting equity in health services. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The Global Health Security Agenda focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats, not specifically on health disparities. B: The World Health Organization was established in 1948 and plays a crucial role in global health, but it does not specifically mark the beginning of addressing health disparities. D: The Millennium Development Goals aimed to address global challenges such as poverty, education, and gender equality, but did not specifically focus on health disparities.

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.