During World War I, health campaigns targeted the prevention of which diseases?

• A. Malaria and dengue
• B. Tuberculosis and STIs
• C. Measles and mumps
• D. Influenza and pneumonia

Answer: (B)

When armies mobilize, keeping soldiers healthy is crucial, so health campaigns focus on infections that most threaten a unit’s readiness and ability to fight. Tuberculosis was a major concern because crowded camps, trenches, and inadequate ventilation helped its spread, and without effective antibiotics at the time, the best defense was preventing transmission through improved living conditions, regular health screening, and removing sick individuals from service when needed. Venereal diseases posed another critical risk to manpower and morale, so campaigns emphasized education, accessible treatment within the military system, and measures to prevent spread, including condoms and confidential clinics. Together, these targeted efforts were designed to keep troops fit for duty and reduce the size of the fighting force lost to disease.

Malaria and dengue were not the central focus of broad, sustained WWI health campaigns in most theatres, and measles and mumps vaccination was not available or implemented as a preventive program at that time. Influenza and pneumonia received attention after outbreaks, but the most prominent, organized prevention efforts were directed at tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections, which directly affected the health and continuity of military ranks.