Federal Government Basics
What branch makes health laws and decides funding?
The Legislative Branch (Congress).
What is the main federal public health agency that tracks and stops diseases?
CDC.
What major act was passed in 1935 to support financial and public health security?
Social Security Act
What agency collects national health data to guide decisions?
CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
What is antibiotic resistance?
When bacteria change and antibiotics no longer work.
Who leads the Executive Branch and ensures health laws are carried out?
The President
What does the FDA do?
Ensures safety of food, drugs, vaccines; checks labels.
Which program helps low-income families pay for health care?
Medicaid.
What does “evidence-based” mean?
Based on real research, not opinions.
Name 3 causes of antibiotic resistance.
Overuse, misuse, or spread of resistant infections.
Which branch decides if public health laws follow the Constitution?
Judicial Branch
What agency conducts medical research to improve health and prevent disease?
NIH
What law expanded federal public health powers in 1944?
Public Health Service Act.
Give an example of “vital statistics.”
Births, deaths, causes of death.
What is “global health security”?
Protecting countries worldwide from diseases that can spread globally.
Who appoints the Surgeon General and how long do they serve?
The President appoints; Senate approves; 4-year term.
Which agency keeps workplaces safe by enforcing safety rules?
OSHA
What is SAMHSA’s main mission?
Reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.
What type of data tracks diseases like flu or COVID-19?
Surveillance data.
What are vector-borne diseases and why are they increasing?
Diseases spread by insects; warmer temps help insects grow/spread.
What does “building capacity” mean in public health law?
Training and supporting professionals so they know how to use laws to improve health.
What department funds most federal health agencies, including Medicare & Medicaid?
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Who would receive Medicare: a 70-year-old teacher, or a 25-year-old low-income single mother?
The 70-year-old teacher.
What is a “campaign” in public health
A planned effort to spread a message (ads, videos, posters).
What is the federal government’s role in responding to climate change?
Creating policies, conducting surveillance, funding research, educating the public.