Public Health

Public Health merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain what public health is. Explain how Escherichia coli (E. coli), tetanus, HIV/AIDS, malaria, salmonellosis, and Lyme disease are contracted

   b. Choose any FOUR of the following diseases or conditions, and explain how each one is contracted and possibly prevented: gonorrhea, West Nile virus, Zika, botulism, influenza, syphilis, hepatitis, emphysema, meningitis, herpes, lead poisoning.

   c. For each disease or condition in requirement 1b, explain:

   i. The type or form of the malady (viral, bacterial, environmental, toxin)

   ii. Any possible vectors for transmission

   iii. Ways to help prevent exposure or the spread of infection

   iv. Available treatments

2. Do the following:

   a. Explain the meaning of immunization.

   b. Name eight diseases against which a young child should be immunized, two diseases against which everyone should be reimmunized periodically, and one immunization everyone should receive annually.

   c. Using the list of diseases and conditions in requirement 1b, discuss with your counselor those which currently have no immunization available.

3. Discuss the importance of safe drinking water in terms of the spread of disease. Then, demonstrate two ways for making water safe to drink that can be used while at camp. In your demonstration, explain how dishes and utensils should be washed, dried, and kept sanitary at home and in camp.
4. Explain what a vector is and how insects and rodents can be controlled in your home, in your community, and at camp. Tell why this is important. In your discussion, explain which vectors can be easily controlled by individuals and which ones require long-term, collective action.
5. With your parent's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:

   a. Visit a municipal wastewater treatment facility OR a solid-waste management operation in your community.

   i. Describe how the facility safely treats and disposes of sewage or solid waste

   ii. Discuss your visit and what you learned with your counselor.

   iii. Describe how sewage and solid waste should be disposed of under wilderness camping conditions.

   b. Visit a food service facility, such as a restaurant or school cafeteria.

   i. Observe food preparation, handling, and storage. Learn how the facility keeps food from becoming contaminated.

   ii. Find out what conditions allow micro-organisms to multiply in food, what can be done to help prevent them from growing and spreading, and how to kill them.

   iii. Discuss the importance of using a thermometer to check food temperatures.

   iv. Discuss your visit and what you learned with your counselor.

6. Do the following:

   a. Describe the health dangers from air, water, and noise pollution.

   b. Describe health dangers from tobacco use and alcohol and drug abuse.

   c. Describe the health dangers from abusing illegal and prescription drugs

7. With your parent's and counselor's approval, Do ONE of the following:

   a. Visit your city, county, or state public health agency.

   b. Familiarize yourself with your city, county, or state health agency's website.

   After completing either 7a or 7b, do the following:

   i. Compare the four leading causes of mortality (death) in your community for any of the past five years with the four leading causes of disease in your community. Explain how the public health agency you visited is trying to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of these leading causes of illness and death.

   ii. Explain the role of your health agency as it relates to the outbreak of diseases.

   iii. Discuss the kinds of public assistance the agency is able to provide in case of disasters such as floods, storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other acts of destruction. Your discussion can include the cleanup necessary after the disaster.

8. Pick a profession in the public health sector that interests you. Find out the education, training, and experience required to work in this profession. Discuss what you learn with your counselor.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: 2018 Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Public Health is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Public Health requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Scouter Awards: Emergency Preparedness BSA Award
• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Crime Prevention - Dentistry - Emergency Preparedness - Fire Safety - First Aid - Lifesaving - Medicine - Public Health - Safety- Traffic Safety
  
• Boy Scout awards: Emergency Preparedness BSA Award, BSA Ready & Prepared Award
• Webelos Adventure: First Responder
• Webelos-Arrow of Light Adventure: Castaway
• Cub Scout Awards: Emergency Preparedness BSA Award (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts)
• Others Links: First Aid Skills - First Aid Kit - Emergency Kit - Safe Swim Defense - Safety Afloat - Guide to Safe Scouting: First Aid
• Venturing: Ranger Award-Emergency Preparedness Requirement - Emergency Preparedness BSA Award, BSA Ready & Prepared Award

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)