The student nurse is learning about the past history of child health and health care in the United States. Which statement accurately reflects the condition of health care in the past and current centuries?

Question

A) In past centuries in the United States, the health of the country was better than it is today due to the simpler style of living.
B) In the current century, mortality rates are high, but life expectancy has increased due to technological advances.
C) In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries urban public health improvements made cities healthier places for growing children.
D) By the late twentieth century unintentional injuries rather than infectious diseases had become the leading cause of death for children older than 1 year old.

Answer 1

Ans: D
In past centuries in the United States, the health of the country was poorer than it is today; mortality rates were high and life expectancy was short. Over the years the health of children received more and more attention, leading to a better understanding of sources of illness and improvements in sanitation, water, and nutrition. As a result, by the late twentieth century unintentional injuries rather than infectious diseases had become the leading cause of death for children older than 1 year old.