SPHG 351 MIDTERM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What does WHO stand for? - Answer -WHO stands for the World Health Organization
Why is it important in defining topics, like health? - Answer -The way we define
concepts make a big difference in how we are able to act, how we evaluate outcomes,
and the policies we create based on those definitions. For example, we have seen a
change in how we think about diversity, equity, and inclusion and what that means.
Therefore, definitions matter and these definitions can also change
Who was tasked for defining health? When was it defined? - Answer -As the World
Health Organization was being created as an organizational entity within the United
Nations, they were tasked with defining what is "health." The definition was established
in 1946 which was part of the Constitution of the World Health Organization in 1946 and
became effective in 1948.
What is the definition of health according to the World Health Organization - Answer -
Health is a state of complex physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity
Why is the WHO definition of health significant? How does the WHO definition differ
from a clinical definition? - Answer -This definition expands health beyond the absence
of disease to include physical, mental, and social well-being. This definition differs from
a clinical definition of health because it emphasizes overall well-being (physical, mental,
social) and not just medical or clinical measures.
What does the WHO definition of health encourage us to think about? - Answer -The
broader determinants of health, beyond disease, including social and mental aspects
What is health according to George Canguilhem (1943)? - Answer -Canguilhem
defined health as the ability to adapt and return to equilibrium. He rejects the idea that
there are universal or "normal" states of health, arguing that health cannot be measured
statistically or mechanistically. Instead, each individual defines health for themselves
according to their own functional needs. Health involves maintaining or regaining
equilibrium after disruptions, making it a subjective and flexible concept, in contrast to
WHO's fixed idea of "complete well-being."
What are the main challenges of the WHO's definition of health as a "state of complete
well-being"? - Answer -- Static nature of health as a state: The WHO definition treats
health as a fixed, static state, leaving little room for variation of fluctuation.
- Chronic versus acute: creates problems for people with chronic illnesses, as it implies
they can never achieve "complete health," even if they live well with their condition. it
also contrasts acute illness (temporary, with recovery possible) against chronic illness
(lifelong with no return to "complete" health).
,- Measurement challenges: Finally, the definition is difficult to operationalize because
"complete" well-being is vague and nearly impossible to measure.
What are the challenges of George Canguilhem's definition of health as the "ability to
adapt"? - Answer -- Difficult to measure: Canguilhem's definition is difficult to measure
because everyone has a different understanding of what counts as health. Coping
capacity and resilience are subjective and vary widely between individuals.
- Risk of reactive instead of proactive actions: Each person sets their own standard of
health, which makes comparison or universal application hard. It also emphasizes a
reactive approach= adapting after illness or disruption- rather than proactive health
promotion. This definition does not encourage preventing problems before they happen.
- Personal challenges may be difficult to predict, and this definition may only apply to
circumstances within an individual's control, overlooking external or structural health
determinants.
Who declared that health is a human right? - Answer -When the WHO defined health,
they also declared that health is a human right.
What does "health is a human right" mean? - Answer -This means that everyone, no
matter where they live, has the right to health, including access to everything needed to
achieve complete health. Simply by being born, all people are entitled to this right. This
reflects the WHO standard, though not all governments have adopted this approach.
what is public health? - Answer -Public health is defined as the science and art of
prevention of disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through
organized community effort.
What is public health seeking to do? What is the mission of public health? - Answer -
Public health seeks to promote physical and mental health and prevent disease, injury,
and disability.
The mission of public health is "the fulfillment of society's interest in assuring the
conditioning in which people can be healthy
Where does the definition of public health come from? - Answer -The definition of
public health comes from the Institute of Medicine. During the late 1980s, the Institute of
Medicine hosted this meeting called the Future of Public Health where they brought
experts to come together and define public health.
What is the substance of public health (what is the work they actually do)? - Answer -
The substance of public health is "organized community efforts aimed at the prevention
of disease and promotion of health." Therefore, the way public health does the work is
organized through community.
How does public health emphasize prevention? - Answer -By focusing on upstream
approaches that prevent illness before it occurs
,Why is medicine not included in the definition of public health? - Answer -Because
public health focuses on the upstream causes of illness and the conditions that keep
populations healthy, rather than individual treatment
What is the organizational framework of public health? - Answer -The organizational
framework of public health "encompasses both activities undertaken with the formal
structure of government and the associated efforts of private and voluntary
organizations and individuals." Some examples of governments and organizations
include: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control,
National Institute of Health, and the World Health Organization
What is population health? What is population health science? What is the studies and
what is the goal? - Answer -Population health is a concept of health that signifies the
health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distributions of such outcomes
within the group. Population health science in turn studies the conditions that shape the
distribution of health.
Population health science studies factors that influence the health of populations (social,
economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants). It deals with developing
interventions and policies to address these factors. The goal is to understand and
improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities within populations.
What is the difference between individual health perspective (clinical/medical focus)
versus population health perspective? (WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICINE)? - Answer -Individual health focuses on one
person at a time, asking "why did this person get this problem now?" and treating illness
after it occurs (ie, a doctor treating a patient with diabetes). Population health focuses
on groups or communities, asking "Why is this problem more common here?" and
working to prevent or reduce disease across the population (ie, program improving
access to healthy foods to lower community diabetes rates).
also, the money that is put into medicine is a lot more compared to public health!
What is the individual health perspective (clinical focus)? - Answer -Key Questions:
Why did this person get this health problem at this time?
Goal: How can we improve things for this individual (usually after the fact)?
Looks at one person at a time
Ex: a doctor treating a patient who has diabetes
What is the population health perspective? - Answer -Key Questions: Why is there
more of this health problem in this population or setting versus another setting? and
Why does it keep happening in this place?
, Goal: How can we reduce the amount of the problem in this population or setting (ie,
prevent the most disease)?
This looks at groups of people or whole communities.
Ex: a public health program addressing high diabetes rates in a specific community by
improving access to healthy food and exercise
According to Me vs. Us Health Divided, how should societal incentives shift to
strengthen support for public heatlh? - Answer -Incentives should move away from
"sickness care" (treating people after they get sick) toward prevention and protecting
health, emphasizing keeping people healthy in the first place rather than relying only on
clinical care
In Me vs. Us: A Health Divided, what does the author mean by the quote: "the
fundamental concept of needing to change societal incentives from sickness cure to
keeping and protecting health"? - Answer -The author argues that our healthcare
system is built around treating illness after it happens ("sickness care"), but to truly
support public health, society must focus on prevention and protecting health before
people get sick.
What is the public health approach? What are the cyclical steps? - Answer -1. Define
the problem (this is where we are trying to figure out what is going on)
2. Identify risk and protective factors (what are those things that make an individual to
be more likely to have this health challenge? What are those things that make an
individual less likely to have this health challenge?)We then use this information to
develop and test strategies.
3. Develop and test Strategies (reducing risk factors and help increase the presence of
protective factors)
4. Assure widespread adoption and evaluate
at each point of this, we can use what we learned in these different steps to improve
them
What are the steps in the public health approach that we focus on in SPHG 351 (so not
SPHG 352)? - Answer -The first two steps: 1. define the problem and 2. Identify risk
and protective factors
What is the MMWR? - Answer -The MMWR is the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report. These are case reports/publications that describes an unusual or notable public
health event involving one or more individuals. The MMWR is published by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. It serves as the CDC's primary vehicle for
What does WHO stand for? - Answer -WHO stands for the World Health Organization
Why is it important in defining topics, like health? - Answer -The way we define
concepts make a big difference in how we are able to act, how we evaluate outcomes,
and the policies we create based on those definitions. For example, we have seen a
change in how we think about diversity, equity, and inclusion and what that means.
Therefore, definitions matter and these definitions can also change
Who was tasked for defining health? When was it defined? - Answer -As the World
Health Organization was being created as an organizational entity within the United
Nations, they were tasked with defining what is "health." The definition was established
in 1946 which was part of the Constitution of the World Health Organization in 1946 and
became effective in 1948.
What is the definition of health according to the World Health Organization - Answer -
Health is a state of complex physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity
Why is the WHO definition of health significant? How does the WHO definition differ
from a clinical definition? - Answer -This definition expands health beyond the absence
of disease to include physical, mental, and social well-being. This definition differs from
a clinical definition of health because it emphasizes overall well-being (physical, mental,
social) and not just medical or clinical measures.
What does the WHO definition of health encourage us to think about? - Answer -The
broader determinants of health, beyond disease, including social and mental aspects
What is health according to George Canguilhem (1943)? - Answer -Canguilhem
defined health as the ability to adapt and return to equilibrium. He rejects the idea that
there are universal or "normal" states of health, arguing that health cannot be measured
statistically or mechanistically. Instead, each individual defines health for themselves
according to their own functional needs. Health involves maintaining or regaining
equilibrium after disruptions, making it a subjective and flexible concept, in contrast to
WHO's fixed idea of "complete well-being."
What are the main challenges of the WHO's definition of health as a "state of complete
well-being"? - Answer -- Static nature of health as a state: The WHO definition treats
health as a fixed, static state, leaving little room for variation of fluctuation.
- Chronic versus acute: creates problems for people with chronic illnesses, as it implies
they can never achieve "complete health," even if they live well with their condition. it
also contrasts acute illness (temporary, with recovery possible) against chronic illness
(lifelong with no return to "complete" health).
,- Measurement challenges: Finally, the definition is difficult to operationalize because
"complete" well-being is vague and nearly impossible to measure.
What are the challenges of George Canguilhem's definition of health as the "ability to
adapt"? - Answer -- Difficult to measure: Canguilhem's definition is difficult to measure
because everyone has a different understanding of what counts as health. Coping
capacity and resilience are subjective and vary widely between individuals.
- Risk of reactive instead of proactive actions: Each person sets their own standard of
health, which makes comparison or universal application hard. It also emphasizes a
reactive approach= adapting after illness or disruption- rather than proactive health
promotion. This definition does not encourage preventing problems before they happen.
- Personal challenges may be difficult to predict, and this definition may only apply to
circumstances within an individual's control, overlooking external or structural health
determinants.
Who declared that health is a human right? - Answer -When the WHO defined health,
they also declared that health is a human right.
What does "health is a human right" mean? - Answer -This means that everyone, no
matter where they live, has the right to health, including access to everything needed to
achieve complete health. Simply by being born, all people are entitled to this right. This
reflects the WHO standard, though not all governments have adopted this approach.
what is public health? - Answer -Public health is defined as the science and art of
prevention of disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through
organized community effort.
What is public health seeking to do? What is the mission of public health? - Answer -
Public health seeks to promote physical and mental health and prevent disease, injury,
and disability.
The mission of public health is "the fulfillment of society's interest in assuring the
conditioning in which people can be healthy
Where does the definition of public health come from? - Answer -The definition of
public health comes from the Institute of Medicine. During the late 1980s, the Institute of
Medicine hosted this meeting called the Future of Public Health where they brought
experts to come together and define public health.
What is the substance of public health (what is the work they actually do)? - Answer -
The substance of public health is "organized community efforts aimed at the prevention
of disease and promotion of health." Therefore, the way public health does the work is
organized through community.
How does public health emphasize prevention? - Answer -By focusing on upstream
approaches that prevent illness before it occurs
,Why is medicine not included in the definition of public health? - Answer -Because
public health focuses on the upstream causes of illness and the conditions that keep
populations healthy, rather than individual treatment
What is the organizational framework of public health? - Answer -The organizational
framework of public health "encompasses both activities undertaken with the formal
structure of government and the associated efforts of private and voluntary
organizations and individuals." Some examples of governments and organizations
include: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control,
National Institute of Health, and the World Health Organization
What is population health? What is population health science? What is the studies and
what is the goal? - Answer -Population health is a concept of health that signifies the
health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distributions of such outcomes
within the group. Population health science in turn studies the conditions that shape the
distribution of health.
Population health science studies factors that influence the health of populations (social,
economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants). It deals with developing
interventions and policies to address these factors. The goal is to understand and
improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities within populations.
What is the difference between individual health perspective (clinical/medical focus)
versus population health perspective? (WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICINE)? - Answer -Individual health focuses on one
person at a time, asking "why did this person get this problem now?" and treating illness
after it occurs (ie, a doctor treating a patient with diabetes). Population health focuses
on groups or communities, asking "Why is this problem more common here?" and
working to prevent or reduce disease across the population (ie, program improving
access to healthy foods to lower community diabetes rates).
also, the money that is put into medicine is a lot more compared to public health!
What is the individual health perspective (clinical focus)? - Answer -Key Questions:
Why did this person get this health problem at this time?
Goal: How can we improve things for this individual (usually after the fact)?
Looks at one person at a time
Ex: a doctor treating a patient who has diabetes
What is the population health perspective? - Answer -Key Questions: Why is there
more of this health problem in this population or setting versus another setting? and
Why does it keep happening in this place?
, Goal: How can we reduce the amount of the problem in this population or setting (ie,
prevent the most disease)?
This looks at groups of people or whole communities.
Ex: a public health program addressing high diabetes rates in a specific community by
improving access to healthy food and exercise
According to Me vs. Us Health Divided, how should societal incentives shift to
strengthen support for public heatlh? - Answer -Incentives should move away from
"sickness care" (treating people after they get sick) toward prevention and protecting
health, emphasizing keeping people healthy in the first place rather than relying only on
clinical care
In Me vs. Us: A Health Divided, what does the author mean by the quote: "the
fundamental concept of needing to change societal incentives from sickness cure to
keeping and protecting health"? - Answer -The author argues that our healthcare
system is built around treating illness after it happens ("sickness care"), but to truly
support public health, society must focus on prevention and protecting health before
people get sick.
What is the public health approach? What are the cyclical steps? - Answer -1. Define
the problem (this is where we are trying to figure out what is going on)
2. Identify risk and protective factors (what are those things that make an individual to
be more likely to have this health challenge? What are those things that make an
individual less likely to have this health challenge?)We then use this information to
develop and test strategies.
3. Develop and test Strategies (reducing risk factors and help increase the presence of
protective factors)
4. Assure widespread adoption and evaluate
at each point of this, we can use what we learned in these different steps to improve
them
What are the steps in the public health approach that we focus on in SPHG 351 (so not
SPHG 352)? - Answer -The first two steps: 1. define the problem and 2. Identify risk
and protective factors
What is the MMWR? - Answer -The MMWR is the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report. These are case reports/publications that describes an unusual or notable public
health event involving one or more individuals. The MMWR is published by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. It serves as the CDC's primary vehicle for
