Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes a healthy public policy?

1. Legislation promoting workplace safety

2. Public health campaigns

3. Private health insurance plans

4. Community recreational programs

The correct answer is: Legislation promoting workplace safety

A healthy public policy is best described as legislation that promotes the well-being and safety of the population. In this context, legislation promoting workplace safety is a prime example because it creates a regulatory framework that protects workers from hazards, thereby reducing injuries and improving overall public health. Such policies are essential for ensuring that workplaces comply with safety standards, which directly impacts the health of employees and contributes to better health outcomes in the community at large. Other choices, while beneficial, do not encapsulate the concept of a systematic, governing approach to health that is characteristic of public policy. Public health campaigns can raise awareness and impart knowledge but do not constitute policies in themselves. Private health insurance plans operate in the market space and may not address the broader implications of population health as legislation does. Community recreational programs enhance health and well-being but are typically not framed as legislative measures, instead functioning as community initiatives without the formal constraints and regulations of public policy. Hence, the description that aligns most closely with the definition of a healthy public policy is the legislation aimed at promoting workplace safety.