Public Health Basics
What does “health equity” mean, and why is it important for improving health outcomes across all Wake County communities?
Health equity means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of who they are or where they live. It ensures that all communities have access to the same resources and opportunities for good health.
Which of these sections is NOT a part of the Public Health Department at Wake County?
A. Animal Services
B. HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
C. Maternal and Child Health
D. Environmental Health
What is B, Animal Services?
Name one simple action you can take to protect yourself and others from spreading respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, or RSV.
Washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, getting vaccinated, or wearing a mask when if you’re not feeling well.
This “herd” concept describes when enough people are immune to a disease, protecting those who aren’t.
A. Community resistance
B. Group protection
C. Herd immunity
D. Population wellness
What is B? Herd immunity.
In Scandinavia, the concept of “hygge” emphasizes comfort, coziness, and connection as a way to promote what kind of health?
What is mental or emotional health?
This branch of public health studies the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in populations.
What is epidemiology?
This mobile unit travels across Wake County providing vaccines, health screenings, and other health services.
What is the Wake Wheels for Health mini bus?
What is the process of sterilizing milk called?
What is Pasteurization?
What is a communicable disease?
A. A disease that has a long duration and is not easily cured.
B. A disease that can be spread from one person to another.
C. A disease that is publicly and scientifically understood.
D. A disease that is related to eating and drinking.
What is B? A disease that can be spread from one person to another.
Both the WHO and the International Committee of the Red Cross are headquartered in this Swiss city.
What is Geneva?
Folic acid, which is found in oranges, prevents which of the following?
A. Scurvy
B. Birth defects
C. High blood pressure
D. Dementia
What is birth defects?
The number of people currently living in Wake County.
What is 1.2 million?
Growing a mustache in the eleventh month of the year to raise awareness of men's health issues such as prostate cancer is referred to by what portmanteau word?
What is Movember?
Which is the first illness that was attributed to an animal carrier?
A. Rabies
B. Smallpox
C. HIV
D. Malaria
What is Malaria? Malaria is the first human illness attributed to an animal carrier (mosquitoes) in 1717.
In July 2025, this European nation banned smoking in most public spaces.
What is France?
Widely considered to be the "father of public health."
Who is John Snow.
What was NOT in the top three priorities identified in the 2025 Wake County Community Health Needs Assessment?
A. Affordable Housing
B. Employment
C. Access to Healthcare
D. Mental Health
What is B, Employment?
According to an iconic 1989 political poster to raise awareness of AIDS, "Silence = " what?
What is Death?
What is the leading cause of death in the U.S.?
A. Heart disease
B. AIDS
C. Cancer
D. Stroke
What is heart disease?
Which of the following toxic elements causes the neurological disorder that inspired the Alice in Wonderland character, the Mad Hatter?
A. Iodine
B. Sodium
C. Mercury
D. Mercurochrome
What is Mercury? Mercury, a highly toxic element, used to be a component of the production process of felt for hats. Mercury was absorbed through the skin, and attacked the nervous system, which caused a degenerative nervous disorder.
Established in 1871, this federal government official is the leading spokesperson for public health matters in the United States.
What is the Surgeon General?
During COVID-19, the county did this to aid in identifying cases and reduce transmission.
What is Contact Tracing?
This form of contraception, other than abstinence, is the most effective form of prevention against sexually transmitted diseases.
What is condoms?
In 1796, Edward Jenner created the modern vaccine for this disease, now considered eradicated.
What is Smallpox?
Blue zones are regions where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. Name one of the five blue zones.
The five identified blue zones are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.