 Public Health
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Public Health merit badge are: 3, 5, 7, 8
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Public Health Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
1. |
Explain what public health is. Explain how
Escherichia coli (E. coli), tetanus, AIDS,
encephalitis, salmonellosis, Lyme disease, and
coronavirus (COVID-19) are contracted. Then, pick
any four of the following diseases and explain how
each one is contracted and possibly prevented:
gonorrhea, West Nile virus, botulism, influenza,
syphilis, hepatitis, emphysema, meningitis,
herpes, lead poisoning. For all 10 diseases,
explain the type or form of the disease (viral,
bacterial, environmental, toxin), any possible
vectors for transmission, ways to help prevent
exposure or the spread of infection, and available
treatments. |
| 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 foods 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. |
| 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 of abusing illegal and
prescription drugs. |
7. |
With your parent's and counselor's approval, visit
your city, county, or state public health agency
OR familiarize yourself with your city, county, or
state health agency's website. Then do the
following: |
| a. |
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. |
| b. |
Explain the role of your health agency as it
relates to the outbreak of diseases. |
| c. |
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 a disaster occurs. |
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 requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Public Health Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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