MPH Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MPH facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in occupational settings is: → Permanent and preventable through exposure controls
2. What is the primary purpose of a Community Health Assessment (CHA)? → To identify community health needs and assets to inform planning
3. Which of the following best describes healthcare fragmentation? → Splintered healthcare can create waste and chaos.
4. What does 'incidence rate' measure in epidemiology? → The number of new cases in a population over a time period
5. A 'logic model' in public health program planning links: → Inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes to show how a program is expected to work
6. What is the primary function of a Certificate of Need (CON) law? → To regulate new health facility construction and major capital expenditures
7. The term 'LOAEL' in toxicology stands for: → Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level
8. The process of creating strategic partnerships in the healthcare industry is dynamic and starts with . → An awareness of crisis which calls for change
9. In program evaluation, 'formative evaluation' is conducted: → During program development or implementation to improve the program while it is ongoing
10. Which of the following does the hotel sector NOT see as a trend? → Vacations booked years in advance
11. What is the primary advantage of a prospective cohort study over a retrospective cohort study? → Exposure data are collected before disease occurs, reducing recall bias
12. The 'hierarchy of controls' in occupational health, from most to least effective, begins with: → Elimination of the hazard
13. Which intervention is credited with the global eradication of smallpox? → Mass vaccination campaigns
14. Heat stress in workers is best prevented by: → Providing rest breaks, hydration, and shade or cooling areas
15. The primary purpose of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) is to: → Require hospitals to screen and stabilize all patients regardless of ability to pay
16. Which health behavior theory posits that individuals must believe they are susceptible to a disease and that action can reduce the threat? → Health Belief Model
17. The Health Belief Model proposes that individual health behavior change is most influenced by which combination of constructs? → Perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers
18. Which entity accredits hospitals and health care organizations in the United States? → The Joint Commission (TJC)
19. Which study design is considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness of a community health intervention? → Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
20. Which of the following best describes the difficulties in creating strategic relationships in the healthcare industry? → Weak organizational structure unable to lead change
21. Which industry DOES NOT include the entertainment industry? → Resorts
22. Which type of community health intervention operates primarily at the policy and environmental level? → Tobacco-free workplace policies enforced across all employers
23. Healthy People 2030 is best described as: → A set of science-based national health objectives to improve the health of all Americans
24. What is the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) in occupational health? → The regulatory limit for worker exposure to chemical hazards
25. A 'global budget' in health policy refers to: → A fixed annual spending cap for a health system or region
26. A 'capitation' payment model means: → Providers receive a fixed payment per patient per period, regardless of services used
27. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) emphasizes: → Equal partnership between researchers and community members in all phases of research
28. Which of the following best describes a 'pay-for-performance' (P4P) reimbursement model? → Providers receive bonuses or penalties based on quality and outcome metrics
29. When prioritizing health problems in community health planning, which combination of factors is most appropriate to consider? → Community concern, magnitude of the problem, and effectiveness of available interventions
30. The 'triple aim' in health care, introduced by IHI, refers to: → Improving population health, enhancing patient experience, and reducing per capita costs