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California State University, Northridge
Health Science 345
Spring 2009 Exam Study Items
The most prevalent, costly, and preventable chronic diseases include which of the
following:
a. Cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke)
b. Cancer
c. Diabetes
d. All of the above
The leading cause of death in the U.S. isa. Heart disease
b. Cancer
c. Hypertension
d. HIV/AIDS
The cost of chronic disease in the U.S. is estimated to be approximatelya. 1.5 billion dollars
b. 1.5 trillion dollars
c. 1,729 dollars per household
d. None of the above
The most common cause of disability in the U.S. isa. Auto accidents
b. Heart disease
c. Arthritis
d. Cancer
Which of the following are chronic disease indicatorsa. Changes in physical activity
b. Poor nutrition
c. Use of Tobacco and alcohol
d. All of the above
Public health educators use the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
(YRBSS) to obtaina. Prevalence data
b. Trend data
c. Responses a and b
d. Primary health data
There is a direct correlation between income and cigarette smoking behavior,
which is the more you earn the more likely it is that you would smoke.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following ethnic groups are most likely to have smoked cigarettes
every day of their lives?
a. Hispanics
b. African Americans
c. Asian Americans
d. Native Americans
The more educated you are the more likely it is that you have never smoked.
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a. True
b. False
10. Who is more likely to have never smoked tobacco?
a. Males
b. Females
11. According to National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung, and Blood
Institute, what percentage of the U.S. adult population are either obese or
overweight?
a. 25%
b. 55%
c. 75%
d. None of the above
12. Which of the following is or are correct about the relationship between exercise,
diet, and caloric intake?
a. The addition of exercise to a diet with restricted caloric intake promotes
fat loss, while maintaining fat free mass.
b. Physical activity, without caloric restriction, minimally if at all affects fat
loss.
c. To optimize weight loss, a combination of diet and exercise is best, and
that exercise alone will not suffice.
d. All of the above
13. Which of the following are predictors or mediators of poor nutrition?
a. Rating the taking care of one’s health very highly
b. Motivation towards dietary changes
c. High self-efficacy about increasing physical activity,
d. All of the above
14. There is a controversy over which is better with respect to loosing weight, diet or
exercise. Which of the following, if any, are true?
a. According to the Pew Research Center, about a third (34 percent) of
Americans are neither exercising nor dieting
b. Eight percent are dieting but not exercising; and
c. Forty percent are exercising but not dieting.
d. All of the above
15. Dieting and exercise are equally good as strategies for taking off unwanted
pounds.
a. True
b. False
16. Many truly obese people don't eat any more than their non-obese counterparts, but
engage in far less physical activity as well.
a. True
b. False
17. Which of the following is correcta. Excess fat in the abdominal area independently increases an individual’s
risk of insulin resistance and high blood lipids.
b. This distribution of body fat is a strong predictor of cardiovascular
disease.
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c. The loss of abdominal fat is associated with a decreased risk of
cardiovascular disease.
d. All of the above
18. It has been shown that exercising individuals, who do not experience any overall
weight loss, decrease their risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
a. True
b. False
19. In the event that weight loss is not achieved in response to a weight loss program,
a person who is at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), or its
comorbid conditions (i.e., high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, insulin
resistance), still benefits from regular aerobic exercise program.
a. True
b. False
20. New findings from one of the most comprehensive health surveys in the nation
may have shed light on one of the reasons obesity and diabetes are tough
problems to solve, which of the following is/are correct
a. Primary care physicians aren't talking enough about the need for good
nutrition and exercise.
b. Doctors are prescribing the wrong kind of nutrition program.
c. Doctors are prescribing the wrong kind of exercise program.
d. All of the above
21. Studies show that primary care physicians spend most of their valuable time with
a patient addressinga. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. Treatment
22. Health disparities can be described asa. Population-specific differences in the presence of disease
b. Population-specific differences in health outcomes
c. Population-specific differences in access to health care
d. All of the above
23. In public health when we speak of “minority health” we are refereeing toa. The health of all ethnic or religious groups who represent less than 50% of
the total U.S. population
b. The health of all people who earn less than the Department of Labor’s
poverty level
c. The health of ethnic minorities for whom their political, social, and
economic influence is less than their percentage of the U.S. population
d. The health of Hispanic people only
24. The cause of health disparities in the U.S. includea. Substandard quality of health care
b. Inadequate access to health care
c. Response A and B
d. At this time we do not know what the cause of health disparities are
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25. The Strategic Framework for Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities is
intended toa. Guide, organize and coordinate the systematic planning, implementation
and evaluation to come up with effective public health strategies to
remediate the problem
b. Reinforce the importance of using science and knowledge
c. Demonstrate the need for funds to address minority health issues
d. All of the above
26. When referring to the “impact” of a health intervention program, a health
educator is speaking ofa. Increased awareness/knowledge about disease prevention
b. Risk reduction
c. Improved treatment opportunities for racial/ethnic minorities
d. All of the above
27. When referring to the “impact” of a health intervention program, a health
educator is speaking ofa. Increased engagement in the adoption of healthy lifestyle and the
demonstration of appropriate health-seeking behaviors
b. Reduced morbidity and mortality
c. Responses A and B
d. Living a longer and healthier life
28. Measures long-term outcomes of public health programs refer toa. Reduced morbidity
b. Reduced mortality
c. Less days of lost time at work
d. All of the above
29. Public health goals, by definition, are never achieved.
a. True
b. False
30. A public health program objective contains which of the following elements?
a. Measureable outcome
b. A time frame
c. The circumstances under which the outcome will occur
d. All of the above
31. Health equity refers to which of the following?
a. Absence of systematic disparities in health
b. Absence of major social determinants of ill health
c. The reduction or elimination of group-differences such as wealth, power,
prestige
d. All of the above
32. According to the textbook definition of Public Health would include:
a. The science and art of preventing disease, prolong life, and promoting
health
b. Fulfilling society’s interest in assuring conditions in which people can be
health
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c. The nation’s health infrastructure’s response to the need to treat health
challenges
d. Two of the above
33. When referring to the “capacity” of the Public Health System, one is referring toa. The resources and relationships necessary to carry out the core functions
and essential services of public health
b. Those collective practices or processes that are necessary and sufficient to
assure that the core functions and essential services of public health are
being carried out effectively
c. Indicators of health status, risk reduction, and quality-of-life enhancement
outcomes
d. All of the above
34. Public Health is associated with which of the followinga. Social justice
b. Politics
c. Economics
d. All of the above
35. The great Public Health achievements in the U.S. during the twentieth century
include:
a. Vaccination
b. Motor-vehicle safety
c. Safer work places
d. All of the above
36. Public Health has had a major impact on crude death rates declining during the
twentieth century.
a. True
b. False
37. Public Health has had a major impact on annual morbidity rates declining during
the twentieth century.
a. True
b. False
38. As a result of Public Health efforts there has been which of the following changes
in U.S. health statisticsa. Decline in infectious disease
b. Decline in chronic disease
c. Increase in chronic disease
d. Two of the above
39. Which of the following are know public health risk factors?
a. Tobacco use
b. Diet
c. Risk taking behavior
d. All of the above
40. Despite the recent emphasis on behavioral risk factors, risk factors in the physical
environment remain important influences on health.
a. True
b. False
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41. The number one cause of death in the United States isa. Malignant neoplasm
b. HIV/AIDS
c. Heart disease
d. Cerebrovascular disease
42. Which one of the following is most closely associated with poor child health
among low income families as compared to high income families?
a. Severe asthma
b. Iron-deficiency anemia
c. Child neglect
d. Pneumonia
43. Direct and indirect contributing factors are a category of risk factors whicha. Most closely associated with the health outcomes
b. Play a role further back in the chain of causation
c. Are either individual or population associated
d. All of the above
44. Economists assert that the future costs for care and services that result from
prevention of mortality must be considered a negative benefit of prevention.
a. True
b. False
45. Health People 2010a. Sets bench marks for future public health goals and objectives
b. Is a means of assessing the overall progress being made by the public
health profession
c. Is a means of establishing the public health profession’s credibility with
the American people
d. All of the above
46. Which of the following is true with respect to cigarette smoking?
a. Adolescent smoking has declined between 1990 and 1997
b. Adult smoking has increased between 1990 and 1997
c. Overall smoking in the U.S. has decreased
d. There has been no change in U.S. smoking behavior
47. Which of the following is not a public health achievement during the twentieth
century?
a. Decline in infant mortality
b. Decline in maternal mortality
c. Decrease in the cost of public health services
d. Responses A and B
48. According to the textbook, which of the following changes are anticipated during
the twenty-first century?
a. More managed health care
b. Greater understanding of the health care needs of the U.S. population
c. More inclusive approach to health
d. All of the above
49. Based upon a review of the successes of the U.S. health care system, the future
will see which of the following?
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a. More investment in primary health care
b. Greater emphasis on prevention and health promotion
c. Greater role to be played by the public health system
d. Two of the above
50. Which level of government has had the greatest increase in expenditures on
health-related issues since 1960?
a. State
b. Local
c. Federal
d. All are approximately the same
51. Federal public health spending as a percent of total federal health spending since
1960 hasa. Increased
b. Decreased
c. Remained constant
52. Modern public health is organized into which of the following functionsa. Preventing epidemics
b. Protecting against environmental hazards
c. Preventing injuries
d. All of the above
53. The purpose of a focused epidemiologic investigation isa. Determine the identify and source of a disease outbreak
b. Determine the mode of transmission of a disease agent
c. Determine who is at risk when an illness occurs in a community
d. All of the above
54. The primary reason for collecting, analyzing, and sharing information on disease
is toa. Better understanding the nature of the disease agent
b. Control the disease agent
c. Plan for future outbreaks
d. None of the above
55. Variola major is a biological agent used by bioterrorists, it is also known asa. Smallpox
b. Anthrax
c. Plague
d. Botulism
56. The mean salary for full-time state and local health agencies is currentlya. $30,208
b. $39,359
c. $42,872
d. $50,344
57. The title of the public health administer who directs, plans, analyzes, and
coordinates public health services isa. Health Services Manager
b. Health Agency Manager
c. Health Officer
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d. None of the above
58. The public health professional responsible for protection of and restoration of the
environment isa. Environmental Engineer
b. Environmental Specialist
c. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
d. None of the above
59. Over the next 10 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job growth
will be greater than average for environmental engineers.
a. True
b. False
60. The public health profession responsible for analyzing morbidity and mortality
data isa. Epidemiologist
b. Public Health Nurse
c. Biostatistician
d. Public Health Physician
61. The public health profession responsible for planning, implementing and
evaluating specific behavior change programs isa. Epidemiologist
b. Public Health Nurse
c. Biostatistician
d. Public Health Educator
62. The public health profession responsible for designing life-style change programs
more often than not will have which of the following terminal degreesa. Ph.D.
b. BA
c. BS
d. MPH
63. On the basis of data presented in the textbook, mortality rates in the U.S. have
declined about 20% since 1950.
a. True
b. False
64. Life expectancy isa. Based on the mortality experience of a population
b. A computation of the number of years between any given age and the
average age of death for that population
c. Commonly used to compare health status across nations
d. All of the above
65. In 1996 public health surveillance in the U.S. took a historic step that reflected
changes in national morbidity and mortality patters, what was that step?
a. Added prevalence of cigarette smoking to the list of diseases and
conditions to be reported by state
b. Collected health data that was correlated to racial background
c. Asked for financial data to identify groups by income
d. All of the above
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66. The percentage of women vs. men smoking is:
a. Has been almost identical since 1955
b. Has been higher for women but now is very similar to men
c. Has been higher for men but now is very similar to women
d. Remains very similar for men and women since 1955
67. There is considerable evidence that social position is an overarching determinant
of health status.
a. True
b. False
68. The principal factor(s) responsible for observed trends and inequities across the
globe with respect to health is (are)a. Social and physical environment
b. Personal behavior
c. Health services
d. All of the above
69. Infant mortality rates since 1915 have beena. Holding steady
b. Showing a slight decline
c. Showing a rapid decline with a few minor ups
d. None of the above
70. Demographic trends that affect the U.S. health care system includea. Slowing population growth rates
b. A shift toward a younger population
c. Changes in family structure
d. All of the above except one
71. Which of the following is not true about public health and the government?
a. The founding fathers planed on the government to directly address health
b. There is no mention of health in the Constitution of the Unites States
c. The earliest federal health unit was the Marine Hospital Service
d. All of the above
72. Over the last one-hundred years, with respect to health, government hasa. Increased its involvement
b. Invested a larger and larger percentage of GNP in health
c. Shared responsibility across all levels of government
d. All of the above
73. The purpose(s) of public health law is (are)a. Protect health
b. Promote health
c. Protect individual rights
d. All of the above
74. Public health spending as a percentage of total federal health spending since 1960
has beena. Increasing
b. Decreasing
c. Remaining steady
75. Which of the following is a Category A bioterrorism biological agent?
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a. Small pox
b. Encephalomyelitis
c. Yellow fever
d. TB
76. What makes bioterrorism emergencies unique isa. The need for responders to know the legal aspects of the issue
b. The seriousness of the emergency
c. The impact the emergency has on people
d. None of the above
77. Which color represents a high condition of alert according to Homeland Security?
a. Red
b. Orange
c. Yellow
d. Blue
78. The mean salary for full-time equivalent workers of state and local health
agencies in 2005 was –
a. $30,208
b. $35,955
c. $39,359
d. $42,872
79. Which one of the following is not a recommended part of a disaster supply kit?
a. Contact lenses
b. Water
c. Food
d. Baby supplies
80. Which of the following are considered large-scale and global environmental
hazards to human health?
a. Climate change
b. Stratospheric ozone depletion
c. Loss of biodiversity
d. Changes in hydrological systems and the supplies of freshwater
e. All of the above
81. Which of the following diseases are highly sensitive to changing temperatures and
precipitation?
a. Common vector- borne diseases such as malaria and dengue;
b. Malnutrition
c. Diarrhea are on the increase
d. All of the above
82. Thousands of people in Europe have already died from the effects of climate
change.
a. True
b. False
83. The greenhouse effect is a result of:
a. Added CO2
b. Sun light
c. Inversion layer
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d. All of the above
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