Public Health What you know and the role of the NA

What is the primary goal of public health?

• To treat individual patients

• To prevent disease and promote health in populations

• To conduct medical research

• To manage healthcare facilities

Answer explanation

Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society. The public health workforce delivers a range of work to protect and improve the health of populations at local, regional, national, and global level.

Which of the following is a key function of public health?

• Diagnosing and treating diseases

• Conducting surgeries

• Monitoring and controlling infectious diseases

• Providing dental care

Answer explanation

Surveillance in public health is the continuous, watching of the incidence and distribution of health-related events through systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data needed for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice.

What does the term "epidemiology" refer to?

• Study of the human mind

• Epidemiology is the study of how diseases and health-related events spread within populations and how they can be controlled.

• Study of economic systems

• Study of environmental science

Answer explanation

Epidemiology is the study of how diseases and health-related events spread within populations and how they can be controlled. Epidemiologists investigate factors like the causes of diseases, their patterns, and risk factors. This information helps in disease prevention, public health planning, and understanding the impact of various health interventions.

4. Explain the concept of "herd immunity" and its importance in public health.

Answer explanation

Herd immunity means that enough people in a group or area have achieved immunity (protection) against a virus or other infectious agent to make it very difficult for the infection to spread. Immunity happens in multiple ways: through natural infection, vaccination or passive transfer.

4. Describe two major public health achievements of the 20th century.

Answer explanation

• Immunizations to reduce epidemic diseases such as smallpox, measles, diphtheria, and pertussis

• Motor-vehicle safety to prevent injuries and deaths from crashes

• Workplace safety to protect workers from hazards and accidents

• Control of infectious diseases through sanitation, antibiotics, and vaccines

• Declines in deaths from heart disease and stroke through prevention and treatment

• Safer and healthier foods through regulation and inspection

• Healthier mothers and babies through prenatal care, nutrition, and family planning

• Family planning to enable reproductive choice and reduce unintended pregnancies

• Fluoridation of drinking water to prevent tooth decay

• Tobacco as a health hazard to raise awareness and reduce smoking

• A community is experiencing an outbreak of a new infectious disease. As a public health nurse, outline the steps you would take to investigate and control the outbreak. Include considerations for communication with the public and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

7. Reflect on a time when you or someone you know benefited from a public health initiative. Describe the initiative and its impact.

7. How do you see your role as a nursing associate contributing to public health efforts in your community?