Which notable U.S. public health initiative, started in 1955, aimed to prevent the spread of polio?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The polio vaccine campaign. This initiative started in 1955 aimed to prevent the spread of polio by vaccinating the population. This campaign led by Dr. Jonas Salk and later by Dr. Albert Sabin successfully reduced polio cases. The other choices are incorrect because: B: The Healthy People initiative focuses on setting national health objectives, not specifically targeting polio. C: The Immunization Action Coalition promotes immunization practices but is not solely focused on polio. D: The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides compensation for individuals who may have been injured by vaccines, but it does not aim to prevent the spread of polio.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The WHO Smallpox Eradication Program. This initiative was launched in 1977 by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the specific goal of eradicating smallpox globally. The program was successful, leading to the official declaration of smallpox eradication in 1980. The Global Immunization Campaign (Choice A) and the Polio Eradication Initiative (Choice B) are important global health efforts, but they do not specifically target smallpox eradication. The Global Health Security Agenda (Choice D) focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to global health threats, but it is not directly related to the eradication of smallpox.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The Environmental Protection Agency Act. This law, passed in 1970, specifically established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. The EPA was created to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations related to pollution control, environmental assessments, and more. Explanation: 1. The Clean Air Act (A) focuses on air pollution control and was passed in 1970 as well, but it did not establish the EPA. 2. The National Environmental Policy Act (B) requires federal agencies to consider environmental impacts in decision-making but did not establish the EPA. 3. The Toxic Substances Control Act (D) regulates chemicals but was passed in 1976 and did not establish the EPA. In summary, the correct answer is C because it directly established the EPA in 1970, while the other choices are focused on different aspects of environmental regulation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The 1988 Institute of Medicine's report 'The Future of Public Health.' This report recommended the restructuring of the U.S. public health system to address emerging challenges. The report highlighted the need for a shift towards prevention, community-based care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. It emphasized the importance of addressing social determinants of health and promoting population health. Choice B is incorrect as the 1979 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health focused specifically on smoking-related health issues, not the restructuring of the public health system. Choice C, the 2008 WHO report, focused on social determinants of health globally, not specifically on the U.S. public health system restructuring. Choice D, the 1994 Global Health Policy Initiative report, does not specifically address the restructuring of the U.S. public health system as recommended in the 1988 Institute of Medicine's report.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The eradication of smallpox. This milestone was achieved through widespread global immunization programs, specifically the World Health Organization's Smallpox Eradication Program. Smallpox is the only human disease to have been eradicated through vaccination efforts. Other choices are incorrect because malaria has not been eradicated, tuberculosis cases have been reduced but not eradicated, and polio has not been eliminated globally despite significant progress.