Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What was a leading cause of death documented between 1900 and 1955?

1. Heart disease

2. Cancer

3. Pneumonia

4. Diabetes

The correct answer is: Pneumonia

The leading cause of death documented between 1900 and 1955 was pneumonia. During this period, infectious diseases were the primary health threats, and pneumonia was particularly prevalent due to factors such as lack of antibiotics, limited healthcare access, and the prevalence of other infectious diseases like influenza and tuberculosis. Pneumonia was a common complication in individuals suffering from these conditions. At the time, the understanding and treatment of acute respiratory infections were limited, and pneumonia often led to high mortality rates, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. As advancements in medicine and public health emerged in subsequent decades, including the development of vaccines and antibiotics, the incidence and mortality associated with pneumonia decreased significantly, allowing other diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, to become leading causes of death.