Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

What is the step in program planning where planners use data to identify and rank health problems called?

1. Behavioral assessment

2. Epidemiological assessment

3. Ecological assessment

4. Environmental assessment

The correct answer is: Epidemiological assessment

The step in program planning that involves using data to identify and rank health problems is known as epidemiological assessment. This phase is critical as it systematically collects and analyzes data regarding health issues within a population. Epidemiological assessment helps planners understand the extent, distribution, and determinants of health problems, which allows for prioritizing interventions based on the severity and impact of these issues. In essence, this assessment provides a foundation for evidence-based decision-making. By ranking health problems, planners can allocate resources more effectively and design targeted strategies that address the most pressing health concerns in the community, making it an essential step in ensuring that public health efforts are both relevant and impactful. The other options pertain to different aspects of health assessment. Behavioral assessment focuses on individual behaviors that may influence health outcomes, ecological assessment examines the interactions between individuals and their environments, and environmental assessment looks at the factors in the physical environment that can affect health. While all these assessments contribute to a comprehensive understanding of community health, the specific task of prioritizing health problems based on data belongs distinctly to epidemiological assessment.