Public Health Milestone in the U.S. by chaeyoung chang

Marine Hospital Service

chaeyoungc — 2025-08-07 23:10:09 UTC

The nation’s first public health agency, the Marine Hospital Service (MHS), was established in 1798 to provide care for sick and injured seamen. It consisted of a network of hospitals staffed by medical personnel. One of the agency’s primary responsibilities was to enforce quarantine measures for individuals arriving by ship who had been exposed to contagious diseases. Quarantine, which originally lasted forty days (from the Italian word quaranta), was later reduced to twenty-one days. This practice was essential before the development of antibiotics and remains a key tool today for controlling the spread of diseases that lack effective treatments.

Dr. Chang

The 2014-2016 Ebola Scare

2025-08-18 23:29:04 UTC

Despite the outbreak being based in West Africa, there were some imported cases that in turn caused a public scare. In order to take control of the situation, the government did four things. They implemented screening and monitoring in areas with high international traffic like JFK airport that they could screen passengers who came from affected countries. The second way was rapid case isolation and they did this by instructing hospitals to prepare special quarantine units so that patients that showed the symptons could be isolated and treated. The third way was by public communitcation via the CDC so to reduce misinformation and panic. Lastly, they prepared and trained healthcare workers nationwide on the equipment that would be used and safe care procedures.

Genille Yarbrough

Tuberculosis

2025-08-24 19:05:38 UTC

One of the most important health threats that i found is Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is one of the leading causes of death in the 19th and 20th centuries. in the 1800s, TB was also known as consumption, which ended up killing 1 in 7 people in the U.S as well as Europe. TB easily spreads because of the crowded cities and keeps getting worse because of the poor housing, malnutrition, and the lack of sanitation. People had to use fresh air and nutrition as medicine before antibiotics were created. patients would be isolated in hospitals because of this disease. This health threat was addressed not only with sanitation and better nutrition, but also with medical advances. The BCG vaccine was created for this disease. there were also antibiotics created that were able to reduce TB deaths. many state and local health departments created TB control programs. contact tracing was used to contain the outbreaks.

isabella pagorek

Influenza pandemic

2025-08-26 01:17:01 UTC

This health threat also known as the “Spanish Flu” took place between 1918 and 1919. This public health threat infected about one-third of the global population and killed an estimated amount of 675,000 people. Similar to COVID-19 we saw a lack in our healthcare system around the world. We had bed shortages, machine shortages, etc. The Influenza pandemic was the same way. This pandemic revealed a lot of weaknesses in our healthcare systems. You may wonder how such a challenge was addressed back then. Well, similar to COVID-19. There was a nationwide quarantine and schools shut down. There was also a high urge for hygiene. Hand washing and wearing masks were HIGHLY encouraged. Unfortunately in all of this, there were no vaccines or antivirals at the time which caused more people to become ill and eventually die. Believe it or not, but this virus affected healthy young adults the most between the ages of 20-40.

Makayla Trevino-Lopez

Smallpox

2025-08-26 14:44:11 UTC

Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases in U.S. history, causing epidemics repeatedly with high death rates and lasting scars in survivors. In the 1700s and early 1800s, smallpox was sometimes controlled through inoculation, where people were purposely exposed to a mild form of the diseases and by strict quarantines to reduce spread. After the discovery of the smallpox vaccine, the U.S. quickly adopted vaccination, and leaders everywhere started promoted its use. It quickly expanded into national vaccination programs in the 20th century, supported by stronger public health systems. As a result, smallpox was eliminated from the U.S. by 1949 and declared eradicated worldwide in 1980. This success showed how vaccines, public health infrastructure, and international cooperation could overcome one of history's deadliest diseases.

Rana Alshamaileh

Typhoid

Tania_Cuevas — 2025-08-26 18:00:02 UTC

This public health threat named Typhoid was established within the beginning of the 1900's in the United States. Typhoid is a disease in which found by drinking contaminated water and consuming contaminated food as well. Typhoid was commonly found in restaurants, food stands, hospitals, and large cities with poor sanitation and hygiene. Signs of typhoid fever include feeling numbness, upset stomach, colon pain , and fever. Individuals who were experiencing this disease had the privilege to take antibiotics in order to get cured from this disease.

Tania Cuevas

Spanish Flu

2025-08-27 15:10:55 UTC

The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 was a huge challenge for public health in the U.S. for 200 years. This pandemic made nearly a third of humanity sick, and it killed about 675,000 people in the U.S. alone. At the time, there were no vaccines or antiviral treatments, so public health interventions focused on non-drug approaches. These included isolating sick people, closing schools and public places, banning public meetings, and promoting good hygiene habits like wearing masks and washing hands. Cities that took these steps early and kept them up had reduced death rates. The epidemic revealed how crucial it is for public health interventions and monitoring systems to function together. It also helped create modern epidemiology and emergency planning.

Cholera

timandshawn98 — 2025-08-27 21:06:22 UTC

Cholera (starting in 1817): Multiple 19th-century cholera pandemics, caused by contaminated water, spurred the rise of modern epidemiology.
Impact on healthcare: Physician John Snow's famous 1854 investigation of a London outbreak, which used statistics and maps to link the disease to a single water pump, established the foundation of modern epidemiology. This work proved that diseases could be transmitted via environmental factors, not just "bad air," as previously thought. It led to radical improvements in sanitation, water treatment, and public health surveillance.

2025-08-28 14:59:17 UTC

Lead Poisoning (20th Century):

In the mid-20th century, lead was everywhere, in gasoline, paint, plumbing, and even consumer products. This widespread exposure led to serious health consequences, particularly for children, such as developmental delays, behavioral problems, and long-term neurological damage. Public health authorities acted through key interventions. The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act of 1971 restricted residential paint, and the gradual phase-out of leaded gasoline (1970s–1990s) dramatically cut environmental exposure. These changes, combined with stronger housing inspections and drinking water protections, led to a historic drop in average blood lead levels in U.S. children. Today, these measures are recognized as one of the greatest environmental public health victories, though continued monitoring remains important in older housing and water systems.

HIV/AIDS

cassotto — 2025-08-28 18:06:47 UTC

Since its recognition in the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has been one of the most serious health threats in the United States. The virus attacks the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. Early in the epidemic, limited understanding of transmission and widespread stigma contributed to high mortality rates. Public health responses initially focused on education campaigns, safe sex practices, needle exchange programs, and blood supply screening. Over time, the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) transformed HIV from a nearly fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition for many patients. Efforts to reduce stigma and improve testing, prevention, and access to treatment have also been critical in controlling the spread. Despite these advances, HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionately affect certain populations, highlighting ongoing social, economic, and healthcare disparities. The U.S. response demonstrates how scientific research, public health policy, and social advocacy work together to address emerging infectious diseases.

Cassie Otto

COVID-19

2025-08-28 18:31:32 UTC

Shahed Taharwah

In response to the public health threat posed by COVID-19, swift global action was taken. In addition to monitoring cases and issuing guidelines on masks, hygiene, and distancing, governments and organizations such as the WHO also declared emergencies. Public health campaigns encouraged prevention, while policies supported testing, contact tracing, and healthcare expansion. The development of vaccines at record speed, followed by global mass vaccination campaigns, was a significant accomplishment. But obstacles like false information, vaccine hesitancy, novel variations, and health disparities hindered advancement. Efforts are still being made today to control long COVID and improve readiness for pandemics in the future.

Polio Epidemic

2025-08-28 18:34:42 UTC

Polio epidemic was one of the most feared public health crises in of the 20th century. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause paralysis, lifelong disability, and sometimes death. This health threat was addressed using a vaccine development such as the inactivated polio vaccine and the oral polio vaccine. As well as widespread vaccination programs that dramatically reduced polio cases in developed countries. By the 1970s, the U.S. and most of Europe had virtually eliminated polio. Also, in 1988 the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the CDC launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. However, vaccine hesitancy, conflict zones, and misinformation have slowed eradication in some areas. Efforts continue with surveillance, routine immunization, and emergency vaccination campaigns to stop outbreaks. Polio is now preventable through safe and effective vaccines. The U.S. has been polio-free since 1979, but isolated cases linked to under-surveillance still emerge globally. Eradicating polio worldwide would mark only the second disease in history eliminated by vaccination (after smallpox).

Reem Alshamaileh

Asbestos

2025-08-28 22:54:13 UTC

Asbestos used to be a commonly used material in construction of houses, commonly found in insulation. Since it has been around, experts have discovered that it is incredibly dangerous and therefore led to what is called the asbestos crisis. The use of asbestos in homes caused millions of people to breathe in polluted air. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, asbestos is a carcinogen causing things such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. In order to fix this crisis, rules and regulations were put in place to prohibit the use of asbestos in the construction of homes and businesses in future buildings. This led to the use of safer materials in construction practices.

Samantha Kall

Swine Flu/Type A influenza variant

2025-08-28 23:55:21 UTC

Swine flu, or pig flu, created a nationwide scare is 2009 when its first case hit the United States. This created the first flu pandemic in over 40 years. The CDC received reports and research that concluded that this flu came from farm animals, preferably pigs. Some wondered how a pig flu made its way to human contact and made it spread so rapidly. The CDC stated that this flu can be spread to children and adults when they go to fairs and festivals that have animals, those who raise pigs and others in the swine industry. To keep this flu at bay, four antiviral drugs have been created and are recommended if one has been diagnosed with swine flu. The CDC also recommends the seasonal flu vaccine, although they do not protect against variant viruses, it can help by not spreading a flu and a flu to animals which can turn into swine. It is also recommended to have proper handling when cooking pork and other pig products.

Isabella Harnett

Payton Reid

paytonreid2525 — 2025-08-29 03:40:56 UTC

Pneumoconiosis, also called black lung, is a serious group of lung diseases that has long affected miners and coal workers in the United States. The disease develops when coal dust is inhaled over time, causing inflammation and scarring in the lungs. This damage can lead to severe respiratory problems, chronic illness, and even death. Prevention efforts in the U.S. began gaining momentum in the late 1960s, with a series of laws, policies, and programs put in place to protect miners and their health.

The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 enforced dust control measures in mines. According to cdc.gov, “The Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) was established by the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. Its mission is to detect lung disease in coal miners. The CWHSP offers health screenings for miners and allows researchers to identify disease trends across the nation.” These screenings, which include chest X-rays, are provided at no cost to miners.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set exposure limits for coal dust, required employers to monitor air quality, and ensured that proper protective equipment was provided. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began researching occupational lung diseases. In 1977, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) was formed to enforce mine safety laws and ensuring dust control and the standards were met.

Because there is no cure for pneumoconiosis, the United States has been focusing on prevention through workplace safety, protocols, and early detection screenings and programs. Payton Reid

Measles - Emma Cook

2025-08-29 13:46:41 UTC

Before the mid-20th century, measles was a common and dangerous childhood disease. It caused high fevers, rashes, and could lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death. A huge part of the management of the Measles outbreak was the development of the vaccination. With the vaccination and major widespread health campaigns we were able to nearly eradicate the measles by the year 2000. However, with the growing number of people against vaccinations of any sort, the number of measles cases has begun to grow again. There was a confirmed case of the measles not even 30 minutes away from where I live. This helps prove that maintaining high vaccination rates can reduce the number of outbreaks across the country.

Smoking/Lung Cancer Epidemic

2025-08-29 15:13:41 UTC

Early in the 20th century, cigarette smoking became popular due to mass production & marketing. By the 1950's evidence linked smoking to lung cancer among other chronic diseases. In 1964 the Surgeon General declared it a health risk and added health warning labels on all tobacco products. Additionally, interventions such as advertising restrictions, public campaigns and imposing taxes helped to lower the population of smokers. Lung cancer rates have fallen, though it remains the leading cause of cancer death.

Source-

Lung Cancer Statistics | Lung Cancer | CDC

Ending the Lung Cancer Epidemic in the United States: How Close Are We?

Laura Tegtman

Fluoridation of drinking water.

2025-08-30 15:16:12 UTC

Treating water with Flouride is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. Those with access to, nearly 150 million has access to date. It’s proven to reduce tooth decay in both children and adults. Unfortunately there is a lot of opposition to having our water treated with Flouride. It’s increasing political, ethical, economic, and health considerations. Having worked in the dental field for 20 years I have been able to see first hand the effectiveness of having an adequate source of Flouride in water and toothpaste too.

Natalie Stumler

Yellow Fever

conn52 — 2025-08-30 19:42:19 UTC

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that claimed the lives of thousands during the 1700s epidemic. During outbreaks, ships would be quarantined and fly yellow flags, which led to the disease being named "yellow fever." Over time, single-dose vaccinations were developed, and the World Health Organization (WHO) established a Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy.

Sarah Conn

Opioid Epidemic

2025-08-31 10:08:20 UTC

One of the most significant health threats in the U.S. over the past 200 years is the opioid epidemic. Beginning in the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies aggressively marketed prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, while downplaying their addictive potential. This led to widespread misuse, dependence, and overdose deaths. The epidemic evolved through three waves: prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

To address this crisis, the U.S. has implemented prescription drug monitoring programs, restricted opioid prescribing, and expanded access to treatment for substance use disorder. Additionally, the distribution of naloxone (Narcan), an overdose-reversing drug, has saved countless lives. Recent lawsuits against opioid manufacturers have also helped fund community-level recovery and prevention programs. Despite progress, the opioid epidemic remains an ongoing public health emergency.

Lung Cancer Epidemic/Smoking

2025-08-31 18:30:51 UTC

In the early 20th century, there is a rise in tobacco use and smoking becomes popular due to marketing and mass production. In the 1930's & 1950's there is increasing evidence smoking causes lung cancer. 1960's the Surgeon General officially warns of the connection between smoking and the sharp increase of lung cancer related deaths. Increased measures include warning labels placed on cigarette packaging. Restrictions placed on advertisement and marking. Public information campaigns to spread awareness on the dangers of smoking. Additionally, sharp taxes are placed upon the products. Incidence of smoking rates dropped from 65% in the 1960's to just 12% today. This rate coincides with lung cancer related deaths dropping drastically as well.

Laura Tegtman

Asian Flu pandemic of 1957-1958

2025-08-31 19:14:22 UTC

The Asian flu was caused by the H2N2 influenza virus, which emerged in East Asia in early 1957 and quickly spread worldwide. In the US, it resulted in an estimated 70,000 deaths and sickened millions. The virus spread rapidly due to increased global travel and limited immunity in the population. Though less severe than the 1918 flu, it was still a major public health concern, especially for children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses.

Rickets Jameelah Holloman

2025-08-31 20:03:04 UTC

Rickets is a condition that affects bone density in children. It is caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D, Phosphate, or Calcium, which leads to weakened bones. Rickets was a very important public health problem, especially in industrialized urban area where children had limited exposure to sunlight and poor diets.

The threat has been addressed by

- Having public health campaigns, which educated those on the importance of Vitamin D for bone health.

- Sunlight exposure, encouraging safe sunlight exposure was a big strategy.

- Vitamin D Supplementation, supplements like these for infants, children, and pregnant women, especially those at a higher risk of deficiency.

Following these efforts, rickets is now relatively rare developed countries. It still remains in certain places that have limited access to nutritious foods.

Zika Virus

ngeorgie — 2025-08-31 20:56:56 UTC

An outbreak based in Uganda, Africa, known as the "Zika Virus," is an illness that you get from a virus. It's commonly spread by mosquitoes. The virus was first identified in Uganda's Zika Forest in 1947, and was initially found in a monkey. Later on, the virus was found in humans in Tanzania and Uganda in 1952. To take control of this virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented vector control, made and distributed tests to detect the virus, and tested new vaccines.

Nikki Georgiefski

Mental Illness- Carlishia Wheatley

2025-08-31 22:12:04 UTC

Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions- disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors. Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental health illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function. A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your everyday life, such as at school, work and relationships. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy). Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors.

Inherited traits- mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness.

Environmental exposures before birth- exposures to inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.

Brain chemistry- Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When neuro networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.

Maternal & Infant Mortality

ronaalle — 2025-08-31 23:30:20 UTC

Maternal mortality is defined by Indiana University School of Medicine as the death of a person either during pregnancy or up to 12 months postpartum. Infant mortality is the death of an infant before their first birthday. Both the infant and maternal mortality rate are important indicators of the overall health of a society (Centers for Disease Control). These complex issues are compounded by many social and economic factors (i.e. race, religion, geographical location, income). Many studies have been conducted in efforts to lower the maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) in the United States. Data from this research has aided in new practice and policies being enacted in many states and federally to save mothers and children.

Indiana is one of the highest ranked states in infant and maternal mortality. Public efforts to reduce these rates include: the establishment of of a state funded perinatal quality improvement collaborative (PQC), the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee, expanding community based support to mothers and children such as the Nurse Family Partnership and the Healthy Families Indiana program, expanding Medicaid, and tasking hospitals and healthcare systems with developing better practices in maternal health that support advocacy for pregnant people. This includes the presence of doulas before, during, and after delivery.

Ronni Allen

Cigarette smoking

2025-09-01 00:19:44 UTC

One of the most important health threats in the United States over the past 200 years has been smoking cigarettes. Smoking used to be considered socially acceptable and promoted on advertisements. It soon became linked to severe health issues including heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It peaked in the mid-20th century when nearly half of American adults smoked. This made it the leading preventable cause of death in the country. Intervention measures including public smoking bans were implemented in order to restrict smoking in workplaces, public spaces, and restaurants. These laws protected non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke and decreased the social acceptability of smoking, which made people want to quit. Warning labels on cigarette packages also began in 1966. They informed consumers of risks and increased the taxes of tobacco. This made cigarettes more discouraged to use.

Vivian Nevarez

Diabetes: A Persistent Public Health Challenge in the U.S.

2025-09-01 02:21:08 UTC

Diabetes has been a significant health threat in the United States, evolving from a misunderstood condition to a major public health concern. In the early 20th century, diabetes was often fatal due to a lack of effective treatments. The discovery of insulin in 1921 revolutionized diabetes management, transforming it from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition . Despite this advancement, the prevalence of diabetes has continued to rise, with approximately 37.3 million Americans affected today . Public health responses have included the establishment of the National Diabetes Education Program in 1997, aiming to educate the public about diabetes risks and management . Additionally, the Diabetes Prevention Program, initiated in 2002, demonstrated that lifestyle changes could significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes . These efforts highlight the ongoing challenge of diabetes in the U.S. and the need for continued public health initiatives to address this growing epidemic.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020.()

Tiara Ivy

Diabetes: A Persistent Public Health Challenge in the U.S.

tiaraivy — 2025-09-01 02:29:27 UTC

Diabetes has been a significant health threat in the United States, evolving from a misunderstood condition to a major public health concern. In the early 20th century, diabetes was often fatal due to a lack of effective treatments. The discovery of insulin in 1921 revolutionized diabetes management, transforming it from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition. Despite this advancement, the prevalence of diabetes has continued to rise, with approximately 37.3 million Americans affected today. Public health responses have included the establishment of the National Diabetes Education Program in 1997, aiming to educate the public about diabetes risks and management. Additionally, the Diabetes Prevention Program, initiated in 2002, demonstrated that lifestyle changes could significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These efforts highlight the ongoing challenge of diabetes in the U.S. and the need for continued public health initiatives to address this growing epidemic.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020.

-Tiara Ivy

HIV/AIDS Addition

2025-09-01 04:58:00 UTC

Public Health Strategies

National education campaigns promoting safe sex and HIV awareness.
Needle exchange and harm reduction programs to prevent transmission.
Routine HIV testing and blood supply screening.
Federal policies for funding treatment and care.

Community & Social Approaches

Grassroots advocacy like the ACT UP foundation demanding faster drug approval and government action.
Local nonprofits and community groups provide support services.
Stigma reduction campaigns to promote acceptance and encourage testing/treatment.

Kyra Shannon

Ryan Klespies

2025-09-03 19:08:49 UTC