Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Which level of health care focuses on the health of populations?

1. Primary health care.

2. Public health care.

3. Specialty care.

4. Tertiary care.

The correct answer is: Public health care.

Public health care is focused on the health of populations, addressing the needs of communities and populations as a whole. This level of healthcare emphasizes preventive measures, health promotions, and broad interventions designed to improve the health outcomes of entire populations rather than individual patients. Activities at this level may include immunization programs, health education campaigns, and initiatives to control infectious diseases, all aimed at reducing the incidence and impact of health issues within a community. In contrast, primary health care primarily deals with individual patient needs and provides first contact services. Specialty care involves more specialized medical services provided by specialists typically for individual cases, while tertiary care refers to advanced medical services usually provided in specialized facilities. These other levels focus on individualized care rather than the overall health metrics of populations, which is why public health care is the correct answer.