Public Health Flashcards
Who was John Snow and what did he do that was important?
Doctor in the mid-1800 and founder of epidemiology
Removed the Broad Street pump handle because of cholera
Who debunked the “spontaneous generation” theory?
Louis Pasteur
Who produced the first artificial vaccine?
Louis Pasteur
Who showed that stats where vital in defining public health?
Lemuel Shattuck
Who figured out yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes?
Walter Reed
What are some basic highlights of Public Health in the United States?
Sewage, refuse disposal and safe drinking water
Reduction of child and maternal mortality
Dec infant mortality
What do the funds for public health come from?
Federal government
How is public health service delivered?
State to county to locality
What are some typical health department activities?
Surveillance of health related cases
Promotion of healthy behavior
Detection and handling of outbreaks
What are other health department activities?
Vaccinations/ Immunizations Women and infant care Health education Population health analysis Dec microbial contamination
How are voluntary agencies made possible?
By donation and time of the public
What is the goal for voluntary agencies?
Information of various disease
Sponsoring research
Promoting legislation
Operating referral services on community level
Who coordinates voluntary agencies?
National health council
During wartimes, why are their more civilian deaths than military?
Disruption of infrastructure
Sanitary practices are disrupted
What are some benefits to war for health?
Improves medical care
The civil war produced:
Anesthesia
WWI produced:
Typhoid immunizations and blood transfusions
WWII produced:
Mobile X-ray, penicillin and tetanus vaccine
Korea, Viet Nam and others produced:
Air evac, field surgery
What did fluoridation of water (1945) prevent?
Dental caries
What is the leading preventable cause of death in the US?
Smoking
What is the US preventive services task force?
Independent, non-federal panel which works for prevention and evidence-based medicine
What are the recommendations for breast cancer screenings?
Biennial mammograms
Age 50 through 75
(medicare and state programs may limit this)
What is the leading cause of death in the US?
Heart disease
What is the third leading cause of death in the US?
Stroke
What does the Framingham heart study look for and how long has it been going on?
Cardiovascular disease -High BP -High cholesterol -Smoking -Lifestyle/social condition 1948
What is the cancer which causes the most deaths?
Prostate
What is the best exam of public health not related to actual health?
Auto safety
What is the approach to auto safety public health?
Define interactions between hose (human), agent (car) and environment (roads)
Attention given before, during and after crashes
The highway safety act (1966) brought about;
Head rests Energy absorbing steering wheels Shatter proof windshields Seat belts Booster seats
The highway safety act (1966) had the road designs changed in what ways?
Delineation of curves Breakaway signs and poles Improves lighting Barriers for traffic Guard rails
