Midterm PH-PBHE 501-American Public University

Midterm PH-PBHE 501-American Public University Midterm PH-PBHE 501-American Public University Midterm PH-PBHE 501-American Public University 1. Before the germ theory, what were believed to be the causes of epidemic diseases? The germ theory is a fundamental principle of medicine that states that microorganisms can invade the body and cause certain diseases. Before the germ theory there were many theories of disease causation. Some of these theories include; ignorance, filth, lack of godliness, and contagion which could be brought in from outside, typically by ships, and spread quickly through dense and impoverished areas (Erwin & Brownson, 2017). The religions attributed the outbreaks of diseases to divine retribution, the punishment for the sins of humanity. For Hippocrates diseases were the result of an imbalance between four vital "humors": yellow bile, black bile, phlegm and blood. Another popular theory that persisted until the end of the 19th century was that miasmas were responsible for the disease (Boston University School of Public Health, 2019). Miasmas were toxic vapors or gases that emanated from cesspools or swamps or filth, and it was believed that if one inhaled the vapors, the disease would result. This theory provided an explanation for outbreaks of infectious disease, including cholera and plague. However, the miasma theory was the most popular. Boston University School of Public Health. (2019). Historical Views of Causation. Retrieved from Erwin, P. & Brownson, R. (2017). Scutchfield and Keck's Principles of Public Health Practice (Page 9). Cengage Learning. Kindle Edition. 2. What are some of the lessons to be learned from the history of public health? One thing we can learn from the history of public health is that the professionals in the field of public health must improve the way they communicate the importance of their work and obtain the support of the public to carry out their mission. They should improve communication, be more effective in presenting their points of view and achievements to the media, politicians and the general public. The public health professionals must also build a more effective public health infrastructure and clearly demonstrate the benefits of prevention for the general public by finding innovative ways to respond to endemic social problems and new crisis (Erwin & Brownson, 2017). But for me the most important thing that the history of public health has taught me is that we should not wait to have a crisis in order to pay attention to this discipline again. Throughout history I could see that every time there was a health crisis there was when this disciple progressed as it otherwise stayed behind as is happening at this time.