Disease Prevention - Use Of Medicines + Public Health (Population Health) - Part 1

Question 1

What is public health?

Answer 1

• science + art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organised efforts of society
• reducing qualities that lead to poor health e.g. reducing pollution, vaccinations

Question 2

What are some public health determinants?

Answer 2

• green space
• transport
• employment
• environment
• housing

Question 3

What are some public health behaviours? (Encouraging)

Answer 3

• physical activity
• tobacco control
• limiting alcohol
• healthy nutrition
• violence prevention
• mental health

Question 4

What are some public health disease preventions?

Answer 4

• vaccinations

- screening

Question 5

What are some government behaviours that impact on public health?

Answer 5

• national measures to control disease
• food hygiene standards
• building regulations e.g. provision of toilets
• speed limits

Question 6

What are some government behaviours that impact on public health?

Answer 6

• changing of behaviour
• washing hands
• sun protection
• cervical smears
• wearing cycle helmets

Question 7

How are pharmacist involved in public health?

Answer 7

• easy provision of info - leaflets, posters
• allay/disperse fears
• refer to other healthcare professionals where necessary
• provide medicines/ other health products
• they promote healthy living + reduce harm

Question 8

What can be done to decrease the spread of infectious diseases?

Answer 8

• effective antimicrobial therapies e.g antibiotics - available for many diseases, but prevention = better
• minimising the transmission of infectious diseases = core function of PHL
• law can contribute - improving access to vaccinations + contraceptives + facilitating screening, counselling, education

Question 9

How do immunisations impact on public health?

Answer 9

• successful + cost-effect PHS - saving millions of lives a year
• governments can support vaccination coverage ensuring vaccination = free/affordable, all children = vaccinated (exceptions for medical/religious reasons) + vaccinations = documented

Question 10

How are pathogens spread + controlled?

Answer 10

• pathogens = disease causing organisms
• spread by direct contact, water or air (different mechanisms)
• washing of hands, keeping common surfaces clean + use of tissue
• protection against vectors

Question 11

What is a vector?

Answer 11

• organism that has an active role in transmitting pathogens from one host to another

Question 12

What are some medicines used for health protection?

Answer 12

• tamiflu, can prevent after accidental exposure + reduces risk of complication from influenza by reducing replication of influenza A and B (not for Covid)
• anti-malarials, reducing risk of catching malaria by about 90%, have to be started before leaving for malaria region + continued after coming back as incubation period = 4 weeks for disease
• meningococcal meningitis, prevention 2nd cases
• rifampicin