Public Health Merit Badge

1. Public health, and how diseases are contracted Requirement

Four parts, (a) to (d).

4 parts

• 1(a). What public health is
• 1(b). How seven diseases are contracted
• 1(c). Four diseases: how contracted and possibly prevented
• 1(d). The 10 diseases from 1(c): type, vectors, prevention, treatment Often forgotten

2. Immunization Requirement

Three parts, (a) to (c).

3 parts

• 2(a). What immunization means
• 2(b). Eight childhood immunizations, two repeated, one annual
• 2(c). Which 1(b) diseases have no immunization

3. Safe drinking water, and two ways to make water safe at camp Requirement

Discuss safe drinking water and the spread of disease. Demonstrate two ways to make water safe to drink at camp, and in the demonstration explain how dishes and utensils are washed, dried and kept sanitary at home and in camp.

4. Vectors, and controlling insects and rodents Requirement

What a vector is; controlling insects and rodents at home, in your community and at camp, and why it matters. Which vectors individuals can easily control and which need long-term, collective action.

5. Visit a facility. Do ONE Often forgotten Requirement

With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval. The badge states the choice: a wastewater or solid-waste facility, or a food service facility.

The condition is in the requirement itself: "With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following". Get both before arranging the visit.

9 parts

• 5(a). A wastewater treatment facility or a solid-waste operation Optional May not apply
• 5(a)(1). How the facility treats and disposes of sewage or solid waste Optional May not apply
• 5(a)(2). Discuss your visit with your counselor Optional May not apply
• 5(a)(3). Sewage and solid waste in the wilderness Optional May not apply
• 5(b). A food service facility Optional May not apply
• 5(b)(1). Food preparation, handling and storage Optional May not apply
• 5(b)(2). Microorganisms in food Optional May not apply
• 5(b)(3). Why to check food temperatures with a thermometer Optional May not apply
• 5(b)(4). Discuss your visit with your counselor Optional May not apply

6. Pollution, tobacco, alcohol and drugs Requirement

Three parts, (a) to (c).

3 parts

• 6(a). Health dangers of air, water and noise pollution
• 6(b). Health dangers of tobacco use and alcohol and drug abuse
• 6(c). Health dangers of abusing illegal and prescription drugs

7. A public health agency Often forgotten Requirement

With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval. 7(a) is a visit or a website; 7(b) follows it, all three parts.

The condition is in the requirement itself: "With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval, do the following". It covers both 7(a) and 7(b).

7 parts

• 7(a). Visit a health agency, or study its website. Do ONE
• 7(a)(1). Visit your public health agency Optional May not apply
• 7(a)(2). Familiarize yourself with a health agency's website Optional May not apply
• 7(b). After 7(a), do ALL three Usually comes after 7(a). Visit a health agency, or study its website. Do ONE.
• 7(b)(1). Leading causes of death and disease in your community
• 7(b)(2). Your health agency and disease outbreaks
• 7(b)(3). Public assistance in disasters

8. A public health profession that interests you Requirement

Find out the education, training and experience required, and discuss what you learn with your counselor.

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Public health, and how diseases are contracted, 2. Immunization and 6 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.