Grade 12 · Health Education

Identify the roles of leading public health organizations such as county health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health

Quarter 3 · Week 5 · TEKS

Standards Alignment

TEKS.115.40.10A primary
identify the roles of leading public health organizations such as county health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO);
TEKS.115.40.10B primary
compare and contrast U.S. and global health issues;

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Lesson Overview

This Grade 12 health education lesson focuses on identifying the roles of leading public health organizations such as county health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). It also includes comparing and contrasting U.S. and global health issues. The lesson is grounded in TEKS expectations and designed for direct teaching, guided practice, and reflection within the theme of public health and policy resources.

Learning Objectives

Identify the roles and responsibilities of county health departments, the CDC, and the WHO in protecting and improving public health.
Compare and contrast health issues faced in the United States with those faced globally, highlighting similarities and differences.

Success Criteria

Students can accurately describe the functions of county health departments, CDC, and WHO.
Students can explain at least two similarities and two differences between U.S. and global health issues.
Students participate in discussions and activities demonstrating understanding of public health organizations and health issues.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of health concepts and the importance of public health in communities. Familiarity with local health services and general health terminology will support learning.

Key Vocabulary

Public Health
County Health Department
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Health Issues
Epidemiology
Global Health
Disease Prevention
Health Policy

Materials and Resources

Chart paper or whiteboard
Markers
Printed fact sheets about county health departments, CDC, and WHO
Comparison charts for U.S. and global health issues
Projector or computer for presentations

Teacher Preparation

Prepare fact sheets summarizing the roles of county health departments, CDC, and WHO.
Gather current examples of U.S. and global health issues for comparison.
Prepare guiding questions for discussion.
Set up materials for group activities and presentations.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Introduction to Public Health Organizations

Public health organizations work to protect and improve the health of communities at local, national, and international levels. County health departments operate locally to provide health services, monitor disease outbreaks, and promote health education within their counties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national agency in the U.S. that conducts research, monitors health threats, and develops policies to prevent disease and promote health nationwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) is an international organization that coordinates global health efforts, sets health standards, and supports countries in managing health crises.

Roles of County Health Departments

County health departments serve as the frontline public health resource in local communities. They provide immunizations, conduct health inspections, manage local disease surveillance, and respond to health emergencies. They also educate the public on health practices and collaborate with other agencies to address community health needs.

Functions of the CDC

The CDC focuses on protecting the health of the U.S. population by conducting scientific research, tracking disease outbreaks, and providing guidelines for health professionals and the public. It plays a key role in emergency preparedness and response, vaccine recommendations, and health promotion campaigns.

Functions of the WHO

The WHO leads international efforts to improve health worldwide. It monitors global health trends, supports countries in disease control, and coordinates responses to pandemics and other health emergencies. The WHO also develops international health regulations and promotes health equity among nations.

Comparing U.S. and Global Health Issues

Health issues in the U.S. often include chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, while global health challenges may include infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Both face issues like access to healthcare and health disparities. Understanding these differences and similarities helps in developing effective health policies and interventions.

Analyzing Health Issues: Similarities and Differences

Similarities include the need for disease prevention, health education, and access to healthcare services. Differences arise from factors such as economic development, infrastructure, cultural practices, and environmental conditions. For example, while the U.S. focuses heavily on managing chronic diseases, many global regions prioritize infectious disease control.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Scenario

Explain the role of the CDC in responding to a disease outbreak in the United States.

Explanation

The CDC monitors disease outbreaks by collecting data and analyzing trends. It provides guidelines to healthcare providers and the public to control the spread of disease. The CDC also coordinates with state and local health departments to implement prevention strategies and manage resources.

Answer Guide

The CDC tracks the disease, informs health professionals and the public about prevention, and works with local health departments to control the outbreak.

Worked Example 2

Scenario

Compare one health issue common in the U.S. with one common globally and explain how public health organizations address each.

Explanation

In the U.S., chronic diseases like diabetes are common and are addressed through education, screening, and management programs by county health departments and the CDC. Globally, infectious diseases like malaria are prevalent and addressed by the WHO through international coordination, funding, and support to affected countries.

Answer Guide

The U.S. focuses on chronic diseases like diabetes with local and national programs, while globally, the WHO helps countries fight infectious diseases like malaria through coordination and support.

Engage

Teacher Activity

Begin the lesson by asking students what public health means and if they know any organizations that work to keep people healthy. Show images or logos of county health departments, CDC, and WHO to spark recognition.

Student Activity

Students share their ideas about public health and any experiences they have had with local health services or national health campaigns.

Explanation

This activity activates prior knowledge and introduces the key organizations that will be studied, setting the context for learning about their roles.

Examples

Students mention local clinics, hospitals, or health campaigns.
Some students recognize CDC or WHO logos.
Students express curiosity about how these organizations help communities.

Explore

Teacher Activity

Divide students into three groups and assign each group one organization: county health departments, CDC, or WHO. Provide fact sheets and resources for each group to research their assigned organization's roles and responsibilities.

Student Activity

Groups read their materials, discuss key points, and prepare a short presentation explaining their organization's role in public health.

Explanation

This hands-on research activity helps students engage deeply with the specific functions of each organization and prepares them to teach their peers.

Examples

Students identify key roles such as disease monitoring, health education, and emergency response.
Groups find real-world examples to support their explanations.
Students collaborate and organize information clearly.

Explain

Teacher Activity

Have each group present their findings to the class. After presentations, facilitate a class discussion to clarify any questions and highlight the differences and connections between the organizations.

Student Activity

Students listen to presentations, take notes, and ask questions to deepen understanding.

Explanation

Presentations and discussion consolidate knowledge about each organization and how they work together to improve public health.

Examples

Students articulate the complementary roles of local, national, and international organizations.
Students recognize the importance of collaboration in public health.
Students ask thoughtful questions about organizational functions.

Elaborate

Teacher Activity

Present a comparison chart of U.S. and global health issues. Guide students to identify similarities and differences through discussion and examples.

Student Activity

Students analyze the chart, discuss in pairs or small groups, and share their observations with the class.

Explanation

This activity develops students' ability to compare and contrast health issues, linking organizational roles to real-world health challenges.

Examples

Students identify chronic diseases as common in the U.S.
Students note infectious diseases as more prevalent globally.
Students connect organizational roles to specific health challenges.

Evaluate

Teacher Activity

Assign an exit ticket where students write a brief explanation of the role of one public health organization and one similarity and difference between U.S. and global health issues.

Student Activity

Students complete the exit ticket individually, demonstrating their understanding of the lesson objectives.

Explanation

The exit ticket provides a quick assessment of student learning and helps identify areas needing review.

Examples

Students accurately describe organizational roles.
Students correctly identify at least one similarity and one difference in health issues.

Classroom Activity

Groups read their materials, discuss key points, and prepare a short presentation explaining their organization's role in public health.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice 1

Prompt

What is one main role of a county health department?

Teacher Answer Guide

To provide local health services such as immunizations and disease monitoring within the community.

Guided Practice 2

Prompt

Name two responsibilities of the CDC.

Teacher Answer Guide

Tracking disease outbreaks and providing health guidelines to prevent illness.

Guided Practice 3

Prompt

How does the WHO support countries during a global health crisis?

Teacher Answer Guide

By coordinating international response efforts, setting health standards, and providing resources and guidance to affected countries.

Guided Practice 4

Prompt

Compare and contrast one health issue in the U.S. and one global health issue, explaining how the organizations involved address them.

Teacher Answer Guide

The U.S. often deals with chronic diseases like heart disease, addressed by county health departments and the CDC through education and prevention programs. Globally, infectious diseases like tuberculosis are common, with the WHO coordinating international efforts to control and prevent spread. Both focus on disease prevention but differ in disease types and scale of response.

Guided Practice 5

Prompt

Explain why it is important for public health organizations at local, national, and international levels to collaborate when addressing health issues.

Teacher Answer Guide

Collaboration ensures comprehensive responses by combining local knowledge, national resources, and international coordination. It helps manage disease spread across borders, share information and best practices, and allocate resources efficiently to protect health globally and locally.

Independent Practice

Foundational: What is one main role of a county health department?
Developing: Name two responsibilities of the CDC.
Application: How does the WHO support countries during a global health crisis?
Analysis: Compare and contrast one health issue in the U.S. and one global health issue, explaining how the organizations involved address them.
Challenge: Explain why it is important for public health organizations at local, national, and international levels to collaborate when addressing health issues.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. To provide local health services such as immunizations and disease monitoring within the community.
2. Tracking disease outbreaks and providing health guidelines to prevent illness.
3. By coordinating international response efforts, setting health standards, and providing resources and guidance to affected countries.
4. The U.S. often deals with chronic diseases like heart disease, addressed by county health departments and the CDC through education and prevention programs. Globally, infectious diseases like tuberculosis are common, with the WHO coordinating international efforts to control and prevent spread. Both focus on disease prevention but differ in disease types and scale of response.
5. Collaboration ensures comprehensive responses by combining local knowledge, national resources, and international coordination. It helps manage disease spread across borders, share information and best practices, and allocate resources efficiently to protect health globally and locally.

Guiding Questions

What roles do county health departments, CDC, and WHO play in public health?
How do local, national, and international organizations differ in their responsibilities?
What are some common health issues in the U.S. and globally?
How do these health issues affect the work of public health organizations?

Common Misconceptions

Public health organizations only provide medical treatment (they also focus on prevention, education, and policy).
The CDC and WHO have the same roles and responsibilities (they operate at different levels with distinct functions).
Health issues are the same everywhere in the world (there are significant differences due to environment, economy, and culture).

Differentiation

Support and Intervention

Provide simplified fact sheets with key points highlighted. Use graphic organizers to help compare organizations and health issues. Allow students to work in pairs or small groups for research and discussion.

English-Language Learner Support

Use visuals and logos to support vocabulary understanding. Pre-teach key vocabulary with definitions and examples. Encourage use of bilingual dictionaries or translation tools during research.

Advanced and Extension

Challenge students to research recent public health campaigns by each organization. Encourage students to analyze how political or economic factors influence public health responses. Have students propose strategies for improving collaboration among public health organizations.

Assessment

Observe group presentations for accuracy and understanding.
Use class discussion responses to gauge comprehension.
Review exit ticket responses for mastery of objectives.
Write one role of a public health organization and one similarity and difference between U.S. and global health issues.
Create a report comparing the roles of the CDC and WHO in managing a recent health crisis.
Develop a presentation on how local health departments impact community health.

Answer Guide

What is one main role of a county health department?
Answer: To provide local health services such as immunizations and disease monitoring within the community.
Name two responsibilities of the CDC.
Answer: Tracking disease outbreaks and providing health guidelines to prevent illness.
How does the WHO support countries during a global health crisis?
Answer: By coordinating international response efforts, setting health standards, and providing resources and guidance to affected countries.
Compare and contrast one health issue in the U.S. and one global health issue, explaining how the organizations involved address them.
Answer: The U.S. often deals with chronic diseases like heart disease, addressed by county health departments and the CDC through education and prevention programs. Globally, infectious diseases like tuberculosis are common, with the WHO coordinating international efforts to control and prevent spread. Both focus on disease prevention but differ in disease types and scale of response.
Explain why it is important for public health organizations at local, national, and international levels to collaborate when addressing health issues.
Answer: Collaboration ensures comprehensive responses by combining local knowledge, national resources, and international coordination. It helps manage disease spread across borders, share information and best practices, and allocate resources efficiently to protect health globally and locally.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to talk with family members about local health department services they have used or know about and discuss how these services help the community.

Homework or Home Connection

Encourage students to talk with family members about local health department services they have used or know about and discuss how these services help the community.

Lesson Summary

This lesson helped students identify the roles of county health departments, the CDC, and the WHO in protecting public health. Students also compared and contrasted health issues in the U.S. and globally, understanding how different organizations address these challenges. Through research, presentations, and discussion, students developed a clearer picture of the layered structure of public health efforts and the importance of collaboration across local, national, and international levels.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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