WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health OA Study Guide
Questions and Answers Latest 2025/2026 Update.
Section 1: The Learner Identifies the History and Role of Public Health
Essential Questions and Answers – Lesson 1
1. What is the primary focus of public health?
Public health primarily focuses on preventing disease, prolonging life, and
promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society,
organizations, communities, and individuals.
2. What is the main goal of public health professionals in their mission to improve the
health of all people?
My main goal is to reduce health disparities and ensure health equity by addressing
social, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health.
3. What does the term "health disparities" refer to:
Health disparities are differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare
across different populations that are often linked to social, economic, and
environmental disadvantages.
4. What is the primary role of public health professionals in addressing health disparities?
Their role is to identify and address factors causing disparities by developing
policies, promoting community-based programs, and advocating for equitable
healthcare access.
5. What does "determinants of health" mean in the context of public health?
Determinants of health are factors that influence an individual's health status,
including biological, socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental factors.
WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health
, Section 2: Public Health History and System
1. Which historical period is often considered the starting point of public health practices?
The Classical Antiquity period, particularly in Ancient Greece and Rome, is often
considered the starting point of public health practices. However, organized public
health systems began to develop during the Middle Ages, especially with the
implementation of quarantines and isolation during the bubonic plague.
2. What are the structural types of public health management systems in the United
States?
Centralized: State government has direct control over local public health
departments.
Decentralized: Local governments (counties or cities) have control, often with their
own boards of health.
Mixed/Shared: Both state and local governments share responsibilities.
3. What is a significant contribution of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to public
health in the United States?
They developed community-based, holistic approaches to health that integrate
mental, physical, spiritual, and environmental well-being. These methods influence
today’s models of culturally competent care and community health practices.
4. Which public health challenges are increasing due to the changing climate?
Vector-borne diseases (Lyme disease, West Nile virus)
Respiratory issues from air pollution
Heat-related illnesses
Natural disaster impacts (e.g., floods, hurricanes)
5. What distinguishes Healthy People 2030 from its predecessor, Healthy People 2020?
Has fewer objectives to improve focus.
WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health
, Emphasizes health equity, social determinants of health (SDOH), and upstream
interventions.
Uses data-driven benchmarks to track progress over a 10-year period.
6. How do stakeholders and partners interconnect with the public health system?
Share resources
Coordinate responses (especially during emergencies)
Influence policy, education, funding, and community engagement
7. Which public health measure was put in place at the end of the Middle Ages for the
purpose of mitigating the spread of disease?
Quarantine was widely implemented to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,
especially during plague outbreaks. Ships were required to wait offshore for 40 days
before passengers could disembark.
8. Name 3 nonprofit organizations.
1. American Red Cross
2. Planned Parenthood
3. American Heart Association
9. Name and discuss 3 stakeholders.
1. Local Health Departments: Implement health policies, provide vaccinations, and
monitor disease outbreaks.
2. Hospitals/Healthcare Providers: Deliver care, report data, respond to emergencies.
3. Community-Based Organizations: Address local needs, offer culturally competent
programs, and connect with underserved populations.
Section 3: Core Functions of Public Health
1. What are the three core functions of public health according to the National Academy of
Medicine?
Assessment: Systematically collect, analyze, and make available information on
healthy communities.
WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health
Questions and Answers Latest 2025/2026 Update.
Section 1: The Learner Identifies the History and Role of Public Health
Essential Questions and Answers – Lesson 1
1. What is the primary focus of public health?
Public health primarily focuses on preventing disease, prolonging life, and
promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society,
organizations, communities, and individuals.
2. What is the main goal of public health professionals in their mission to improve the
health of all people?
My main goal is to reduce health disparities and ensure health equity by addressing
social, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health.
3. What does the term "health disparities" refer to:
Health disparities are differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare
across different populations that are often linked to social, economic, and
environmental disadvantages.
4. What is the primary role of public health professionals in addressing health disparities?
Their role is to identify and address factors causing disparities by developing
policies, promoting community-based programs, and advocating for equitable
healthcare access.
5. What does "determinants of health" mean in the context of public health?
Determinants of health are factors that influence an individual's health status,
including biological, socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental factors.
WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health
, Section 2: Public Health History and System
1. Which historical period is often considered the starting point of public health practices?
The Classical Antiquity period, particularly in Ancient Greece and Rome, is often
considered the starting point of public health practices. However, organized public
health systems began to develop during the Middle Ages, especially with the
implementation of quarantines and isolation during the bubonic plague.
2. What are the structural types of public health management systems in the United
States?
Centralized: State government has direct control over local public health
departments.
Decentralized: Local governments (counties or cities) have control, often with their
own boards of health.
Mixed/Shared: Both state and local governments share responsibilities.
3. What is a significant contribution of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to public
health in the United States?
They developed community-based, holistic approaches to health that integrate
mental, physical, spiritual, and environmental well-being. These methods influence
today’s models of culturally competent care and community health practices.
4. Which public health challenges are increasing due to the changing climate?
Vector-borne diseases (Lyme disease, West Nile virus)
Respiratory issues from air pollution
Heat-related illnesses
Natural disaster impacts (e.g., floods, hurricanes)
5. What distinguishes Healthy People 2030 from its predecessor, Healthy People 2020?
Has fewer objectives to improve focus.
WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health
, Emphasizes health equity, social determinants of health (SDOH), and upstream
interventions.
Uses data-driven benchmarks to track progress over a 10-year period.
6. How do stakeholders and partners interconnect with the public health system?
Share resources
Coordinate responses (especially during emergencies)
Influence policy, education, funding, and community engagement
7. Which public health measure was put in place at the end of the Middle Ages for the
purpose of mitigating the spread of disease?
Quarantine was widely implemented to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,
especially during plague outbreaks. Ships were required to wait offshore for 40 days
before passengers could disembark.
8. Name 3 nonprofit organizations.
1. American Red Cross
2. Planned Parenthood
3. American Heart Association
9. Name and discuss 3 stakeholders.
1. Local Health Departments: Implement health policies, provide vaccinations, and
monitor disease outbreaks.
2. Hospitals/Healthcare Providers: Deliver care, report data, respond to emergencies.
3. Community-Based Organizations: Address local needs, offer culturally competent
programs, and connect with underserved populations.
Section 3: Core Functions of Public Health
1. What are the three core functions of public health according to the National Academy of
Medicine?
Assessment: Systematically collect, analyze, and make available information on
healthy communities.
WGU D583 Foundations in Public Health
