The History of (American) Health

Health and healthcare are big news in the present-day U.S. Pick up any newspaper, and you'll find articles on aging, obesity, medical research, food quality—or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration's health care statute recently upheld in the Supreme Court. As emotions and opinions on health continue to fly in the months leading up to the 2012 presidential election, your students may have questions about the history of health in the U.S.

Point them toward our History Quiz Archive! Our quizzes on health can answer some questions—and raise others:

• Practicing Medicine on the Presidents — What do you do when the Commander in Chief comes down with a cold—or worse? See how much you know about the aches and pains of four past presidents.
• Stumbling Down the Road to Health — Mistakes often seem obvious in hindsight. What past medical treatments often did more harm than good?
• History of Hidden Killers: Epidemics in America — Disease can strike fast and hard. What outbreaks have plagued the U.S.?
• Vaccinations: Rites of Passage — What diseases have you been vaccinated against? Check out public health posters in this quiz.
• Advice for Beachgoers — Is beachgoing serious business? Yes, according to this quiz's health advice from the late 1800s.