Which public health law, passed in 1970, aimed to reduce environmental health hazards in the United States?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). OSHA was passed in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by setting standards and regulations to reduce workplace hazards. This law specifically focuses on protecting workers from risks related to their job tasks. The other choices, B: The Clean Water Act, C: The Environmental Protection Agency Act, and D: The Clean Air Act, do not directly target workplace safety but rather aim to address environmental concerns such as water pollution, air pollution, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency for overall environmental protection.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Public health nursing is known for its autonomy and independence. In many instances, there are limited other health care professionals and staff with whom to interact. In-patient acute care nurses focus on acute care with outcomes known fairly quickly (B). Acute care nurses collaborate frequently with other health care professionals (C). Depending on the position there may be more flexibility, but typically public health nurses do not receive higher wages (D).

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Care became inadequate because of the social changes in Europe, with great advances in transportation, communication, and other technologies. The increased mobility led to migration and urbanization, which in turn led to increased need for care. The Industrial Revolution was not a time of economic/political unrest (A) or plagues (B), and caregivers were typically untrained, not demanding pay (D).

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) They were afraid of infectious diseases such as yellow fever. This option is correct because historically, the fear of infectious diseases, like yellow fever, was a significant driving force behind the establishment of government-sponsored boards of health in the United States. These boards were created to address public health concerns and protect citizens from the spread of deadly diseases. Option B) The government could force the poverty-stricken to accept care is incorrect because the primary motivation for establishing boards of health was not to provide care to the poverty-stricken by force. Instead, the focus was on promoting public health and disease prevention for the entire population. Option C) Such boards could tax and thereby ensure adequate funds to pay for care is incorrect because while funding is important for the functioning of public health initiatives, it was not the main reason American citizens were interested in establishing government-sponsored boards of health. The primary concern was the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Option D) Such a system would allow for accurate records of births and deaths is incorrect because while maintaining accurate records of births and deaths is a valuable function of public health systems, it was not the primary reason for the establishment of government-sponsored boards of health in the United States. Educationally, understanding the historical context of public health initiatives helps students appreciate the evolution of healthcare systems and the factors that have influenced public health policies. This question highlights the importance of addressing public health concerns in response to disease outbreaks and the role of government in safeguarding the health of the population.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C) Guidelines for modern public health organizations were eventually developed. The Shattuck Report, published in 1850 by Lemuel Shattuck, was a groundbreaking document that laid the foundation for modern public health in the United States. It recommended the establishment of modern public health organizations with guidelines to address various aspects of public health, such as sanitation, disease prevention, and health promotion. Option A is incorrect because the Shattuck Report did not specifically focus on efforts to control alcohol, drug abuse, or tobacco use. Option B is incorrect because while environmental sanitation was a key component of the report, it was not the only priority identified. Option D is incorrect because the report did not immediately lead to the establishment of boards of health by local and state governments; rather, it took time for Shattuck's recommendations to be implemented. Understanding the impact of historical documents like the Shattuck Report is crucial for students studying the history of public health. It provides insight into the evolution of public health practices and policies, highlighting the importance of evidence-based recommendations in shaping public health outcomes. Students should learn how this report influenced the development of public health infrastructure and policies that continue to impact public health practices today.