List at least five important public health achievements of the twentieth century and explain why they are important

Answer 1

The answer may be any 5 of the following 10 . They are all important because they contributed significantly to improving the health of the U.S. population.

Vaccination – resulted in the eradication of smallpox and polio and the control of other infectious diseases such as measles.
Motor-vehicle safety – improved safety measures for vehicles and highways resulted in reductions in motor-vehicle-related deaths.
Safer workplaces – resulted in reduced workplace injuries and deaths.
Control of infectious diseases – improved water quality and better sanitation reduced cases and deaths due to diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
Decline in deaths due to coronary heart disease and stroke – resulted from reducing risk factors such as smoking and improved access to diagnosis and treatment.
Safer and healthier foods – resulted from decreases in microbial contamination and increases in nutritional content.
Healthier mothers and babies – resulted from better hygiene, improved nutrition, and better access to health care.
Family planning – resulted from improved contraceptive options and access to family planning services.
Fluoridation of drinking water – expanded to include millions; believed to contribute to preventing tooth decay.Chapter 2: History and Development of Public Health