Question 1

Why is the health of the natural environment one of the biggest influences on human health hazards?

Accepted Answer

The health of the natural environment has a large influence on the severity and number of human health hazards because we humans have disrupted the Earth's ecosystems to better suit our own needs and wants. This causes the ecosystems to be unbalanced, and as we know from previous chapters, this can cause a lot of problems. In terms of human health, unbalanced ecosystems can select for the overpopulation of a particular pathogen or vector. For example, deforestation increases the breeding grounds for mosquitoes harboring the protozoan that causes malaria or dengue fever virus.

Question 2

Which of the below choices is not a vector-pathogen pairing?

Accepted Answer

Field mice are not vectors; they are reservoirs for the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Ticks are the vectors that transmit the bacterium to humans.

Question 3

Unfortunately, many environmental hazards are not modifiable.

Accepted Answer

Many environmental hazards can be modified or mitigated through interventions, regulations, and changes in human behavior and technology.

Question 4

In a vector-borne disease, the _______ directly causes the disease.

Accepted Answer

In a vector-borne disease, the vector (such as a mosquito or tick) transfers the pathogen (such as a virus or bacteria) to a human host. However, it is the pathogen itself that directly causes the disease.

Question 5

What are the variables that a public health epidemiologist has to take into account when devising a plan to mitigate a health threat?

Accepted Answer

A public health epidemiologist has to consider various factors while devising a plan to mitigate a health threat. These factors may include economic, environmental, and cultural factors. Economic factors, such as the cost of treatment, availability of resources, and financial burden on the government or individuals, need to be considered. The environmental factors may include the spread of disease through air, water, or land, climatic factors, and availability of clean water or sanitation facilities. Cultural factors, such as beliefs, attitudes, and practices, may affect the adoption of preventive measures and compliance with treatment. Therefore, all three factors need to be considered while devising a plan to mitigate a health threat.

Question 6

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a sexually transmitted disease, is especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Given what you know about the variables affecting health threats, why do you think passing out free condoms, which would prevent the spread of the virus, may not be an effective strategy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a sexually transmitted...

Question 7

According to the World Health Organization, how many people fall victim to waterborne diseases each year?

Accepted Answer

The World Health Organization estimates that 1,000,000,000 (one billion) people fall victim to waterborne diseases each year, making it a major global health issue.

Question 8

Why does urbanization sometimes lead to the increased incidence of waterborne pathogen infections?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does urbanization sometimes lead to the...

Question 9

Public health epidemiologists study the overall health status of ________.

Accepted Answer

Public health epidemiologists study the health status of human populations, rather than individuals or other organisms. They analyze and track patterns of health-related events, such as infectious diseases, chronic diseases, and injuries, in order to identify and address public health concerns.

Question 10

Environmental health is a branch of public health that focuses on health hazards in ___________.?

Accepted Answer

Environmental health focuses on health hazards in both natural and human-built environments, including contaminated water, air, and soil.

Question 11

Why is it difficult to map cause-and-effect relationships of human hazards and disease?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it difficult to map cause-and-effect...

Question 12

Why do you think such a high proportion of diarrheal diseases can be attributed to environmental factors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do you think such a high...

Question 13

Which human activity has not influenced the prevalence and seriousness of health hazards?

Accepted Answer

All the listed activities, including deforestation, urbanization, dam building, and habitat fragmentation, have influenced the prevalence and seriousness of human health hazards by altering ecosystems, increasing pollution, and facilitating the spread of diseases.

Question 14

Waterborne and _______ diseases are the main infectious disease threats to human health.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Waterborne and _______ diseases are the main...

Question 15

How might washing your hands lead to a human health threat?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might washing your hands lead to...

Question 16

Infectious diseases are a type of ______.

Accepted Answer

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These microorganisms are biological in nature and constitute a potential threat to human health, making infectious diseases a type of biological hazard.

Question 17

Infographic 5.3.

-Refer to Infographic 5.3. Which disease is completely due to environmental factors?

Accepted Answer

According to Infographic 5.3, intestinal nematode infections are completely due to environmental factors, such as poor sanitation and hygiene. Asthma, dengue fever, malaria, and diarrhea can all be influenced by environmental factors, but they are not solely caused by them.

Question 18

Which of the organisms listed below causes disease in humans?

Accepted Answer

All the listed organisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses, and worms) can cause diseases in humans.

Question 19

How might poor water quality be a result of all the variable types of a population-that is, cultural and social factors, economic stability or instability, and environmental factors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might poor water quality be a...

Question 20

What is an example of a cultural variable that may influence the plan of action for a particular health threat?

Accepted Answer

Religious beliefs can greatly influence behavior and decision-making related to healthcare. For example, certain religious beliefs may prohibit blood transfusions, which can impact the treatment plan for certain health conditions. Additionally, beliefs about the causes of illness and the role of healthcare providers may vary across cultures and influence the acceptance of certain treatments or interventions.

Quiz 5: Environmental Health- Eradicating a Parasitic Nightmare: Human Health Is Intricately Linked to the Environment- Consumption and the Environmental Footprint