Health — Important Questions

Goddess of health

Step 1: The origin of words gives us clues about their meaning. Step 2: The chapter states that the word 'hygiene' comes from the Greek word 'hygiea'. Step 3: Hygiea was the Greek goddess of health. Step 4: This is why hygiene is closely related to health — the practices of hygiene help us maintain good health. Step 5: The other options are incorrect — hygiea does not mean goddess of cleanliness, god of medicine, or god of water.

Because hands may carry disease-causing germs that can enter our body with food

Step 1: Our hands touch many surfaces throughout the day — doors, money, soil, and animals. Step 2: These surfaces may have invisible germs (bacteria and viruses) that stick to our hands. Step 3: If we eat without washing hands, these germs enter our body along with food and can cause diseases. Step 4: Soap is used because it breaks down the outer surface of germs and removes them effectively from our hands. Step 5: This simple habit prevents diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, and worm infections.

Washing fruits and vegetables in clean water before eating

Step 1: Hygiene is divided into personal, domestic, and food hygiene based on where it is practised. Step 2: Food hygiene involves keeping food clean, safe, and free from germs and harmful chemicals. Step 3: Fruits and vegetables may have pesticides (chemicals sprayed on plants) and germs on them. Step 4: Washing them in clean water removes these harmful substances before we eat them. Step 5: Sweeping the house is domestic hygiene, cutting nails is personal hygiene, and exercising is a health habit — not a food hygiene practice.

Preventing diseases and promoting health of the entire population

Step 1: Community health is about the health of a whole group of people, not just one person. Step 2: The chapter defines community health as the practice of preventing disease and promoting health of a population. Step 3: It is achieved through organized efforts by government, organizations, communities, and individuals. Step 4: The focus is on PREVENTION of diseases — stopping them before they happen — rather than only treating sick people. Step 5: Activities like clean water supply, garbage disposal, immunization drives, and awareness programmes are all part of community health.