International Health — MCQs

International Health Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 61: Sustainable Development Goals are designed by:

A. WHO
B. UNICEF
C. United Nations (Correct Answer)
D. Government of India

Explanation: ***United Nations*** - The **Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)** were developed and adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. - They build upon the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and address global challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. *WHO* - The **World Health Organization (WHO)** is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. - While WHO plays a crucial role in implementing health-related SDGs (specifically SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being), it did not design the entire framework of all 17 SDGs. *UNICEF* - **UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)** is a United Nations agency dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. - UNICEF contributes significantly to achieving several SDGs, particularly those focused on children's well-being, education, and health, but it was not the sole designer of the SDGs. *Government of India* - The **Government of India** is a sovereign government responsible for governing India. - While India is a member state of the United Nations and is committed to achieving the SDGs within its national context, it did not design the global framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Question 62: Not under millennium development goals?

A. Eradication of extreme poverty
B. Global partnership for development
C. Reduction of cardiovascular health hazards (Correct Answer)
D. Sustainability of the environment

Explanation: ***Reduction of cardiovascular health hazards*** - The **Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)** focused on broader health issues like poverty, hunger, maternal and child health, and infectious diseases, rather than specific non-communicable diseases. - While improving health was a core tenet, specific targets for reducing **cardiovascular disease** burdens were not explicitly listed as one of the eight MDGs. *Eradication of extreme poverty* - This was the **first and overarching goal** of the MDGs, aiming to halve the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day by 2015. - It included targets related to **employment** and **hunger reduction**. *Global partnership for development* - This was the **eighth and final goal** of the MDGs, emphasizing international cooperation to achieve the other goals. - It focused on issues such as **aid, debt relief**, and **access to technology**. *Sustainability of the environment* - This was one of the **seven major MDGs (Goal 7)**, aiming to integrate principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs. - It included targets related to **reducing biodiversity loss** and increasing access to safe drinking water.

Question 63: In Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), how many goals are health related?

A. 1 out of 8
B. 3 out of 8 (Correct Answer)
C. 2 out of 8
D. 4 out of 8

Explanation: ***3 out of 8*** - The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) included **three health-related goals** (Goals 4, 5, and 6) out of a total of eight global development goals. - These health goals focused on **reducing child mortality**, **improving maternal health**, and **combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases**. *1 out of 8* - This option is incorrect because more than one MDG explicitly addressed health concerns, demonstrating the significant role of health in global development. - Limiting health-related goals to just one would underestimate the comprehensive approach taken by the MDGs towards global health. *2 out of 8* - While two health goals (Goals 4 and 5) focused on child and maternal health, this option overlooks the third dedicated health goal (Goal 6) on combating major diseases. - The MDGs placed a strong emphasis on a broader range of health issues, making this count insufficient. *4 out of 8* - This option overstates the number of direct health-related goals within the MDG framework, as only three goals were explicitly and primarily focused on health. - While other goals might indirectly impact health, only three were specifically defined as health goals.

Question 64: The WHO was set up in –

A. 1929
B. 1946
C. 1948 (Correct Answer)
D. 1952

Explanation: ***1948*** - The **World Health Organization (WHO)** was officially established on **April 7, 1948**, as a specialized agency of the United Nations. - This date is now celebrated annually as **World Health Day**. *1929* - This year does not correspond to the establishment of the **WHO**. - No major international health organization was founded in this specific year. *1946* - While the **constitution of the WHO** was adopted in New York in July **1946**, the organization itself was not formally set up or came into force until 1948. - The adoption of the constitution was a preparatory step towards its establishment. *1952* - This year is significantly later than the actual establishment date of the **WHO**. - By 1952, the WHO was already fully operational and engaged in its global health initiatives.

Question 65: WHO International Health Regulations (2005) are legally binding on all WHO member states and primarily aim to -

A. Development of children
B. Research and technological development of the country
C. Development of human & natural resources in a country
D. Prevent, protect against, control and provide public health response to international spread of disease (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Prevent, protect against, control and provide public health response to international spread of disease*** - The **WHO International Health Regulations (2005)** are legally binding on all WHO member states and have a clear primary aim: to **prevent, protect against, control, and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease**. - This is achieved through **strengthened surveillance, early warning systems, and coordinated international response** to public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC). - The regulations balance **public health protection with minimal interference** to international traffic and trade. - Key components include **core capacity requirements, notification obligations, and response mechanisms** for cross-border health threats. *Development of children* - While child health is important, IHR (2005) has a **broader scope covering all populations** and age groups. - The focus is on **international disease spread**, not demographic-specific development programs. *Research and technological development of the country* - IHR encourages **information sharing and technical cooperation**, but this is not the primary aim. - The regulations focus on **operational public health response**, not research infrastructure development. *Development of human & natural resources in a country* - This is a **broad developmental goal**, not the specific primary aim of IHR (2005). - While disease control indirectly supports human development, the **direct objective is global health security** through disease surveillance and response mechanisms.

Question 66: According to WHO, which of the following is the primary strategy for achieving Universal Health Coverage?

A. Increasing tertiary care hospitals
B. Strengthening Primary Health Care (Correct Answer)
C. Promoting private health insurance
D. Expanding medical tourism

Explanation: ***Strengthening Primary Health Care*** - WHO identifies **Primary Health Care (PHC)** as the **cornerstone and primary strategy** for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). - PHC provides comprehensive, accessible, community-based care that addresses the majority of health needs throughout the life course. - The **Astana Declaration (2018)** reaffirmed PHC as the most inclusive, effective, and efficient approach to enhance health and well-being. - PHC focuses on **prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care** at the first point of contact with the health system. *Increasing tertiary care hospitals* - While tertiary care is important for specialized services, it is **not the primary strategy** for UHC. - UHC emphasizes accessible, affordable care for all, which is best achieved through primary care rather than expensive tertiary facilities. - Over-emphasis on tertiary care can lead to inequitable access and financial barriers. *Promoting private health insurance* - Private insurance alone does not guarantee UHC as it may **exclude vulnerable populations** who cannot afford premiums. - WHO advocates for **prepayment and pooling mechanisms** that ensure financial risk protection for all, not just those who can afford private insurance. - UHC requires government commitment to equitable financing, not reliance on market-based private insurance. *Expanding medical tourism* - Medical tourism focuses on attracting **international patients for specialized care**, which does not address the health needs of the local population. - This is contrary to UHC principles of **equity and universal access** for all residents of a country. - Medical tourism can divert resources from essential health services needed by the general population.

Question 67: Which disease comes under International Surveillance?

A. Typhoid fever (Correct Answer)
B. Chikungunya fever
C. Hepatitis B
D. Salmonellosis

Explanation: ***Typhoid fever*** - **Typhoid fever** is monitored by the **World Health Organization (WHO)** through global surveillance systems to track incidence, guide vaccination strategies, and implement control measures. - While **not on the mandatory notification list** under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, typhoid is included in **WHO's global disease surveillance** programs due to its significant disease burden in endemic regions. - Among the given options, typhoid fever has the **strongest international surveillance framework** through WHO's Global Foodborne Infections Network and regional surveillance systems. - **Note:** Diseases under **mandatory IHR surveillance** include cholera, plague, yellow fever, smallpox, poliomyelitis, SARS, and novel influenza subtypes. *Chikungunya fever* - Chikungunya is primarily monitored through **national and regional surveillance** systems rather than comprehensive international surveillance frameworks. - WHO tracks outbreaks through epidemic intelligence but it is **not part of mandatory IHR notification**. - Surveillance focuses on **vector control** and outbreak detection at local levels. *Hepatitis B* - **Hepatitis B** surveillance is conducted primarily at **national levels** through prevalence studies, vaccination coverage monitoring, and chronic infection programs. - It is **not under mandatory international surveillance** per IHR, though WHO maintains global estimates and monitoring frameworks. - Focus is on **prevention through vaccination** and treatment of chronic infections. *Salmonellosis* - Non-typhoidal **salmonellosis** is monitored mainly through **national food safety** and public health surveillance systems. - **Not designated for mandatory international surveillance** under IHR 2005. - International coordination occurs through networks like WHO's Global Foodborne Infections Network for outbreak investigation.

Question 68: Emporiatrics deals with the health of the following group of people:

A. Travellers (Correct Answer)
B. Industrial workers
C. Mine workers
D. Farmers

Explanation: ***Travellers*** - Emporiatrics is a medical subspecialty focused on the health issues, prevention, and management of diseases encountered by **travellers**. - This field addresses risks like **traveler's diarrhea**, malaria, yellow fever, and other infections or health concerns related to specific destinations. *Industrial workers* - The health of industrial workers falls under **occupational medicine** or **industrial hygiene**. - This field deals with workplace hazards, occupational diseases, and maintaining the health and safety of employees in industrial settings. *Mine workers* - The health concerns of mine workers are a specialized subset of **occupational medicine**, often referred to as **mining medicine**. - This area focuses on diseases like silicosis, pneumoconiosis, and injuries common in mining environments. *Farmers* - The health of farmers is addressed within **agricultural medicine** or **rural health**. - This specialty focuses on specific health risks associated with farming, such as pesticide exposure, zoonotic diseases, and musculoskeletal injuries.

Question 69: The only certificate of vaccination required for international travel is

A. BCG
B. Yellow fever (Correct Answer)
C. Tetanus
D. Hepatitis B

Explanation: ***Yellow fever*** - **Yellow fever vaccination certificate** is required for entry into certain countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America, to prevent the international spread of the disease. - The **International Health Regulations (IHR)** specify yellow fever as one of the few diseases for which proof of vaccination can be mandated for international travel. *BCG* - **BCG vaccination** protects against **tuberculosis** but is generally not a mandatory requirement for international travel, although some countries may recommend it for long-term stays. - While tuberculosis can spread globally, a certificate of BCG vaccination is not an internationally regulated requirement for entry into most countries. *Tetanus* - **Tetanus vaccination** is crucial for individual health protection but is **not a mandatory certificate** for international travel. - Tetanus is typically acquired through contact with spores in the environment, not through person-to-person transmission, so it doesn't pose a risk for international spread. *Hepatitis B* - **Hepatitis B vaccination** is recommended for personal protection, especially for travelers visiting endemic areas or those at risk of exposure, but it is **not a universal requirement** for international entry. - While Hepatitis B can be a serious infection, a vaccination certificate is not specified in the International Health Regulations for cross-border travel.

Question 70: Which of the following diseases is NOT notifiable to WHO under International Health Regulations (IHR)?

A. Seasonal influenza (Correct Answer)
B. Plague
C. Yellow fever
D. Cholera

Explanation: ***Seasonal influenza*** - **Seasonal influenza** is NOT automatically notifiable to WHO under IHR 2005 - Only **novel influenza subtypes** (new strains with pandemic potential) are subject to notification requirements - Routine seasonal flu cases do not meet criteria for international notification despite their widespread occurrence - This makes seasonal influenza the correct answer to this "NOT notifiable" question *Plague* - **Plague** must be assessed for notification using the decision instrument in Annex 2 of IHR 2005 - While not automatically notifiable, plague outbreaks often meet criteria for notification due to their **serious public health impact** and **potential for international spread** - Historical significance and high case-fatality rate make plague a disease of international concern requiring assessment *Yellow fever* - **Yellow fever** requires assessment using the IHR 2005 decision instrument in Annex 2 - Outbreaks frequently meet notification criteria due to **epidemic potential** and **international spread via travelers** - Endemic countries must report yellow fever cases as they often constitute events of potential international concern *Cholera* - **Cholera** must be assessed for notification under IHR 2005 using Annex 2 criteria - Outbreaks typically meet notification thresholds due to **rapid spread potential** and **risk of international transmission** - Countries evaluate cholera events to determine if they constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) **Note:** Under IHR 2005, only **three diseases** are automatically notifiable: smallpox, poliomyelitis due to wild-type poliovirus, and human influenza caused by a new subtype. All other diseases, including plague, cholera, and yellow fever, require assessment using the decision instrument.

Practice by Chapter

World Health Organization

Practice Questions

UNICEF

Practice Questions

Other International Health Agencies

Practice Questions

International Health Regulations

Practice Questions

Global Disease Burden

Practice Questions

Global Health Initiatives

Practice Questions

Millennium Development Goals

Practice Questions

Sustainable Development Goals

Practice Questions

Global Fund

Practice Questions

International Health Aid

Practice Questions

Health in Humanitarian Crises

Practice Questions

Cross-Border Health Issues

Practice Questions

Want unlimited practice?

Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.

Start For Free