International Health Practice Questions

Q: Which disease comes under international surveillance?

Polio. ***Polio*** - **Poliomyelitis** is under comprehensive international surveillance through the **Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)**, a partnership led by WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and Rotary International. - As a disease targeted for **global eradication**, every case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is investigated worldwide, making it subject to the most intensive international surveillance system. - Under **International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005**, wild poliovirus is one of only three diseases that are **mandatorily notifiable** to WHO internationally (along with smallpox and SARS). *Measles* - While measles is under WHO surveillance for elimination efforts in various regions, the surveillance is primarily **regional and national** rather than having the same globally coordinated mandatory notification status as polio. - Measles elimination programs exist but do not have the same international surveillance infrastructure as the polio eradication program. *Hepatitis B* - **Hepatitis B** surveillance focuses on disease burden, vaccination coverage, and prevalence monitoring within countries. - It is **not under international surveillance** with mandatory notification requirements for global eradication purposes. *Typhoid* - **Typhoid fever** is monitored through national surveillance systems, especially in endemic areas. - It is **not part of international surveillance programs** with mandatory reporting to WHO for global eradication.

Q: Diseases under surveillance by WHO under International Health Regulations are all, EXCEPT:

Leprosy. ***Leprosy*** - **Leprosy** is considered a **neglected tropical disease** and is not currently listed among the diseases under *mandatory surveillance* by the WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR). - While it remains a public health concern, particularly in endemic areas, its *global surveillance requirements* differ from those diseases deemed to have immediate international public health implications. *Malaria* - **Malaria** is a disease under *mandatory surveillance* by the WHO, as it has a high epidemic potential and can quickly spread across borders, posing a significant public health risk. - Countries are required to report outbreaks and implement control measures under the IHR. *Smallpox* - Although **smallpox** has been *eradicated*, it remains on the list of diseases that must be notified under IHR due to the potential threat of its re-emergence by accident or bioterrorism. - Any suspected case would trigger an immediate international health response. *Louse-borne typhus fever* - **Louse-borne typhus fever**, caused by *Rickettsia prowazekii*, is listed as a disease requiring notification under the IHR due to its potential for *epidemic spread*, especially in conditions of overcrowding and poor hygiene. - Its ability to cause *severe illness* and its *historical impact* on populations make it a disease of international concern.

Q: Disease not included under International surveillance

Tension headache. ***Tension headache*** - **Tension headaches** are a common, benign, and typically self-limiting condition that does not pose a public health threat requiring international attention. - They are **not communicable** and do not have the potential for widespread international spread. - This is a **non-infectious neurological symptom** with no epidemic potential. *Common cold* - While the **common cold** is highly contagious and caused by various respiratory viruses, it is **not under formal international surveillance**. - It is generally a mild, self-limiting illness that does not meet the criteria for International Health Regulations (IHR) reporting. - However, severe acute respiratory syndromes (like SARS or COVID-19) are under international surveillance due to their pandemic potential. *Rabies* - **Rabies** is a fatal zoonotic disease included under **WHO International Health Regulations (IHR)** surveillance. - It requires international monitoring due to high case-fatality rate (nearly 100%) and potential for cross-border transmission through animal movement. - WHO coordinates global surveillance to track animal reservoirs, implement vaccination programs, and prevent human deaths. *Malaria* - **Malaria** is a major disease under **WHO Global Malaria Programme** surveillance with mandatory reporting requirements. - International surveillance tracks disease burden, drug resistance patterns, vector control effectiveness, and progress toward elimination goals. - It causes significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. *Yellow fever* - **Yellow fever** is a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic disease explicitly listed under **WHO International Health Regulations (IHR)**. - Countries must report outbreaks and maintain vaccination requirements for international travel from endemic areas. - International surveillance prevents epidemic spread and guides vaccination campaigns.

Q: The headquarters of WHO is located in:

Geneva. ***Geneva*** - The **World Health Organization (WHO)** is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. - Its permanent headquarters are located in **Geneva, Switzerland**. *New York* - **New York City** is the location of the main headquarters of the **United Nations (UN)** itself. - Many other UN agencies and bodies have offices there, but not the primary WHO headquarters. *Ottawa* - **Ottawa** is the capital city of **Canada**. - While it hosts many governmental and international organizations, it is not the location of the WHO headquarters. *Rome* - **Rome, Italy**, is notably home to the headquarters of the **Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)** of the United Nations. - It does not house the main headquarters for the World Health Organization.

Q: The International Red Cross is located in:

Geneva. ***Geneva*** - The **International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)** and the **International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)** are both headquartered in **Geneva, Switzerland**. - Geneva is a significant hub for numerous international organizations, reflecting its role in diplomacy and humanitarian efforts. *Rome* - **Rome** is the capital of Italy and hosts several international organizations, but not the primary headquarters of the International Red Cross. - Examples of international organizations in Rome include the **Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)** of the United Nations. *New York* - **New York City** is home to the main headquarters of the **United Nations (UN)**, a prominent international body. - While many international organizations have offices there, the primary base for the International Red Cross is not in New York. *New Delhi* - **New Delhi** is the capital of India and houses various national and regional organizations. - It is not a primary location for major international humanitarian organizations like the International Red Cross.

Q: What is the slogan of WHO for the year 2018?

Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere.. ***Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere.*** - This was the official theme for **World Health Day 2018**, marking WHO's 70th anniversary. - The theme emphasized the goal of achieving **universal health coverage (UHC)** globally, ensuring that everyone has access to quality essential health services without financial hardship. - It highlighted WHO's commitment to ensuring that at least **1 billion more people** benefit from UHC by 2023. *Health for All* - "Health for All" is the foundational vision established at the **Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978**, not a specific 2018 slogan. - This remains an overarching principle of WHO's mission but was not the designated theme for 2018. - While relevant to UHC discussions, it was not the official World Health Day 2018 theme. *Depression: Let's Talk* - This was the theme for **World Health Day 2017**, focusing on mental health awareness. - The campaign aimed to reduce stigma around depression and encourage people to seek help. - It emphasized that depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. *Diabetes: Scale up prevention, strengthen care, and enhance surveillance* - This was related to the theme for **World Health Day 2016**: "Beat Diabetes." - The focus was on raising awareness about the rising burden of diabetes and the need for prevention and management strategies. - It called for strengthening diabetes surveillance and ensuring access to affordable treatment.

Q: Which of the following is the most significant international treaty specifically addressing tobacco control measures globally?

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. ***Framework Convention on Tobacco Control*** - The **WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)** is the first international public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO. It provides a comprehensive framework for tobacco control measures globally. - Its provisions range from **advertising bans** and **taxation** to **protection from secondhand smoke** and promotion of **cessation policies**, making it the most significant global effort against tobacco use. *Paris Agreement* - The **Paris Agreement** is a legally binding international treaty on **climate change**, aimed at limiting global warming. - It focuses on **reducing greenhouse gas emissions** and climate resilience, unrelated to tobacco cessation. *Kyoto Protocol* - The **Kyoto Protocol** is an international treaty that committed State Parties to **reduce greenhouse gas emissions**, based on the premise that global warming exists and human-made CO2 emissions have caused it. - Its focus is entirely on **environmental protection** and climate change mitigation, not tobacco control. *Convention on Biological Diversity* - The **Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)** is a multilateral treaty with three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. - This convention addresses **ecosystem health** and **biodiversity preservation**, which is distinct from public health interventions for tobacco cessation.

Q: Who is recognized as the founder of the International Red Cross?

Henry Dunant. ***Henry Dunant*** - **Henry Dunant** was a Swiss businessman and social activist who founded the **International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)** in 1863. - His experiences at the **Battle of Solferino** inspired his work to establish humanitarian aid for wounded soldiers, leading to the **Geneva Conventions**. - He was awarded the first **Nobel Peace Prize** in 1901 for his humanitarian efforts. *John D Rockefeller* - **John D. Rockefeller** was an American oil magnate and philanthropist, known for founding **Standard Oil** and his vast charitable contributions. - His work was primarily focused on industrial development and large-scale philanthropy through the Rockefeller Foundation, not the establishment of international humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross. *Marie Curie* - **Marie Curie** was a Polish and naturalized French physicist and chemist, famous for her pioneering research on **radioactivity**. - She founded the **Curie Institutes** and contributed to mobile X-ray units during World War I, but did not play a role in the establishment of the International Red Cross. *Florence Nightingale* - **Florence Nightingale** was a British nurse and social reformer, known as the founder of **modern nursing**. - She revolutionized hospital sanitation and nursing practices during the **Crimean War** (1853-1856), but this was before the founding of the Red Cross in 1863. - While both were humanitarian pioneers, Nightingale's work focused on nursing reform rather than the establishment of the Red Cross.

Q: Which of the following conditions is the PRIMARY target for mass intervention under the WHO VISION 2020 initiative?

Cataract blindness. ***Cataract blindness*** - **Cataract** is the **leading cause of blindness globally** (responsible for ~50% of world blindness) and the **primary target** of WHO VISION 2020 for mass intervention. - **Cataract surgery** is highly cost-effective, with proven outcomes, making it the cornerstone intervention for eliminating avoidable blindness. - VISION 2020 emphasized scaling up **cataract surgical services** as the most impactful strategy to reduce global blindness burden. *Trachoma blindness* - **Trachoma** was indeed one of the **five priority diseases** targeted by VISION 2020 through the **SAFE strategy** (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement). - However, cataract remains the **primary focus** due to its higher global prevalence and the immediate impact of surgical intervention. - Trachoma control requires long-term public health measures beyond just surgical intervention. *Refractive errors* - **Uncorrected refractive errors** were also one of the **five priority conditions** under VISION 2020, addressed through provision of spectacles and vision screening programs. - While important, refractive errors cause **visual impairment** rather than blindness, making them secondary to cataract in the elimination of blindness. - Management requires ongoing optical services rather than one-time curative surgery. *Diabetic macular edema* - **Diabetic macular edema (DME)** was **NOT** one of the five priority diseases under VISION 2020. - The five priorities were: **Cataract, Trachoma, Onchocerciasis, Childhood blindness, and Refractive errors**. - While diabetic retinopathy is increasingly important, it requires complex systemic management rather than simple surgical cure.

Question 1

Which disease comes under international surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Polio

Answer

Measles

Answer

Hepatitis B

Answer

Typhoid

Question 2

Diseases under surveillance by WHO under International Health Regulations are all, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Leprosy

Answer

Malaria

Answer

Smallpox

Answer

Louse-borne typhus fever

Question 3

Disease not included under International surveillance

Accepted Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Common cold

Answer

Rabies

Answer

Malaria

Answer

Yellow fever

Question 4

The headquarters of WHO is located in:

Accepted Answer

Geneva

Answer

New York

Answer

Ottawa

Answer

Rome

Question 5

The International Red Cross is located in:

Accepted Answer

Geneva

Answer

Rome

Answer

New York

Answer

New Delhi

Question 6

What is the slogan of WHO for the year 2018?

Accepted Answer

Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere.

Answer

Depression: Let's Talk

Answer

Health for All

Answer

Diabetes: Scale up prevention, strengthen care, and enhance surveillance

Question 7

Which of the following is the most significant international treaty specifically addressing tobacco control measures globally?

Accepted Answer

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Answer

Paris Agreement

Answer

Kyoto Protocol

Answer

Convention on Biological Diversity

Question 8

The WHO's '3 by 5' initiative aimed to:

Accepted Answer

Provide antiretroviral treatment to 3 million people by 2005

Answer

Reduce child mortality by threefold by 2005

Answer

Decrease tuberculosis deaths by threefold by 2005

Answer

Achieve 100% immunization coverage in 5 years

Question 9

Who is recognized as the founder of the International Red Cross?

Accepted Answer

Henry Dunant

Answer

Marie Curie

Answer

Florence Nightingale

Answer

John D Rockefeller

Question 10

Which of the following conditions is the PRIMARY target for mass intervention under the WHO VISION 2020 initiative?

Accepted Answer

Cataract blindness

Answer

Diabetic macular edema

Answer

Refractive errors

Answer

Trachoma blindness

International Health — MCQs

International Health — MCQs

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