OCC Preventive Medicine & Population Health Flashcards

A physician notices that hypertension is more prevalent in a low-income neighborhood than in an affluent neighborhood in the same city. This difference best illustrates which concept?

Answer: Health disparity driven by social determinants of health

Systematic differences in health outcomes between socioeconomic groups reflect health disparities driven by social determinants like income, stress, food access, and healthcare access.

Which physical activity recommendation for adults aligns with current CDC and ACSM guidelines for substantial health benefits?

Answer: 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week

Current guidelines recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity weekly, plus muscle-strengthening on 2+ days.

Osteoporosis screening with DEXA scan is recommended by the USPSTF for women beginning at what age without other risk factors?

Answer: 65 years

USPSTF recommends DEXA screening for osteoporosis in women 65 years and older, and younger postmenopausal women with equivalent fracture risk.

Which concept in epidemiology refers to the proportion of a population that must be immune (through vaccination or prior infection) to prevent epidemic spread of a pathogen?

Answer: Herd immunity threshold

The herd immunity threshold is the proportion of a population that must be immune to halt sustained transmission — it varies by pathogen R₀.

A patient asks about alcohol use. Which tool is a validated brief alcohol screening instrument used in primary care?

Answer: AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption)

The AUDIT-C is a validated 3-item tool measuring alcohol consumption frequency, quantity, and binge drinking — highly effective for primary care screening.

The osteopathic tenet 'the body is a unit' most directly supports which approach to preventive medicine?

Answer: Addressing interconnected physical, mental, and social health simultaneously rather than isolated organ systems

The principle of the body as a unit means physical, emotional, and social factors are inseparable — preventive care must address the whole person, not just individual risk factors.