Historical Perspective

Question 1

What is epidemiology?

Answer 1

Branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible controls of diseases and other factors relating to health

Question 2

Contrast endemic, epidemic and pandemic

Answer 2

Pandemic- epidemic of worldwide proportions

Endemic- the usual, constant prevalence of a disease in a region

Epidemic-outbreak of a disease that attacks many people’s at about the same time and spread throughout a or several communities

Question 3

What is germ theory?

Answer 3

The presence of microorganisms/pathogens May lead to disease

Question 4

What is postpartum sepsis?

Answer 4

An illness resulting from the infection of the mother often in the urinary tract following child birth, possibly due to miscarriage

Question 5

What is the Hippocrates corpus?

Answer 5

A collection of Ancient Greek medical works strongly associated with Hippocrates

Question 6

What was the bubonic plague?

Answer 6

An infection of the lymphatic system from the bite of an infected Flea.

Question 7

What are 2 major factors that have shaped the modern health system?

Answer 7

Growth of scientific knowledge about sources of diseases and how to control them

Growth of public acceptance of disease control

Question 8

How were early explanations for diseases explained?

Answer 8

Focused on superstition, myths and religion

Natural spirits

Question 9

Describe the affect of the agricultural revolution

Answer 9

Despite the more supply of food

Domesticated animals carried disease that could affect humans

As population expanded, people lived in larger groups, enhancing disease transmission

Garbage and waste accumulated attracting rodents and insects

Question 10

How did the Hippocrates corpus look at disease?

Answer 10

As an imbalance in humors/fluids : phlegm, bile and blood

Excess of humor became the rationale for bloodletting

Question 11

Describe the infection of bubonic plague

Answer 11

An acute infection of bacteria would spread through the regional lymph nodes and multiply causing dark, tender and swollen nodules

Question 12

What was the bubonic plague thought to be caused by?

Answer 12

Miasmas- invisible vapors that emanated from swampsor cesspools that floated in the air

Question 13

Who was John Snow?

Answer 13

A physician in London in the 180ls when there were large epidemics of cholera in Europe and America

Question 14

In the 1800s what was believed to cause cholera?

Answer 14

Caused by miasmas or person to person contact

Question 15

How did John Snow become famous on Broad street? (Renamed broad wick street)

Answer 15

Realized that the hand pump handle was contaminated with cholera

Question 16

What is Louis Pasteur known for?

Answer 16

Made contributions to germ theory , prevention of food spoilage and the control of disease

Discovered microbes in milk could be killed by heating(pasteurization) and would later work on vaccines

Question 17

Achievements in public health in the 20th century- what were the accomplishments made in vaccinations

Answer 17

Over 21 Vaccines have been developed

Nationwide immunization programs

Question 18

Greatest achievements in public health in the 20th century- what were the great public health accomplishments made in infectious disease control?

Answer 18

Decreased infectious diseases due to initiatives such as immunizations improved sanitation, clean water and improved food safety

Question 19

Describe the life of hunter-gatherers

Answer 19

They had a short life span

They lived and travelled in small groups and hunted in small groups

Had fairly balanced diets

Few problems in accumulating waste of contaminated water or food

Question 20

How much attention did the Hippocrates Corpus give to waste disposal and sanitation ?

Answer 20

Little attention

Question 21

Describe the plague years

Answer 21

Physicians wore costumes on house calls to protect themselves from miasmas

Increased population density

Poor garbage disposal attracted rats

Question 22

Who was Ignaz Semmelweis?

Answer 22

A Hungarian physician who practiced in the maternity department of a hospital in the 1840s

Question 23

Why did Semmelweis require all attendants to wash their hands with chlorinated water before attending to births?

Answer 23

Postpartum sepsis was a common occurrence in the 1840s

Someone cut their hand while performing an autopsy and developed symptoms of sepsis and died

This requirement saw a reduction in the rate of infection

Question 24

When was there an outbreak of cholera on Broad street?

Answer 24

In 1853

Question 25

Why are safer, healthier foods more common place?

Answer 25

Food and safety education

Handling practices/sanitation

Laws

Sanitation

Refrigeration

Pasteurization

Pest control

Healthier animal care

Question 26

How has fluoridation helped public health in the 20th century?

Answer 26

Primary factor in decline of tooth decay

Question 27

Heart disease is the _________ _____ ___ ________ and stroke is the ________ ______ ______ of death in the U.S.A

Answer 27

Leading cause of death

Third leading cause

Question 28

How much has cardiovascular decreased since 1950?

Answer 28

60% decrease in death rates from cardiovascular disease

Question 29

What has public health achievements in public health done to impact smoking?

Answer 29

Recognition in smoking rates due to education, prevention programs , campaigns for non smokers’s rights, increased taxation, restrictions on cigarettes advertising

Question 30

What are public health achievements in motor vehicle safety?

Answer 30

• increased seat belt use
• Vehicle safety improvements
• Traffic safety regulation
• Improved streets and highways

Question 31

How have infant and maternal mortality rates been impacted by public health in the 20th century?

Answer 31

Maternal rates down by 99%

Infant mortality rates down by 90%

This is due to improved standards of living , technological advances in medicine and greater access to maternal care