Scouts learn about how to prevent the spread of disease while working on the Public Health merit badge. They explore how pandemics happen and what steps can be taken to prevent outbreaks. They also learn about careers related to public health.
Get the Public Health Merit Badge pamphlet
Printable helps for requirements:
Printable requirements for Public Health Merit Badge
Printable checkoff sheet for Public Health Merit Badge
Printable note sheet for Public Health Merit Badge
Printable checkoff sheet for all Scouts BSA merit badges
Get a good start on this merit badge with these related ideas and achievements:
Safety Programs Feature for Scouts BSA
The Safety feature teaches Scouts to "Be Prepared" for hazardous situations in their homes, on the street, and while out in the woods with their troop.
Public Service Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA
The focus in this program feature is citizenship and service. Younger Scouts BSA can work on flag etiquette, flag ceremonies, and their rights and duties as US Citizens. Older Scouts could work on the Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World merit badges.
Fitness and Nutrition Program Feature for Scouts BSA Troops
The Fitness and Nutrition program feature is listed in the Sports program features category, but fitness and nutrition are important for everyone, whether involved in sports or not. Topics include the Get FITT principle, the My Plate Way, Body Mass Index (BMI), and measuring flexibility with a sit and reach box. There are sample troop meeting plans and sample ideas for a troop outing or activity related to nutrition and fitness.
Germ Transfer Demonstration
The video below provides a great demonstration for how to show kids how easily germs spread. The powder is a safe way to simulate germs. Like germs it cannot be seen. "Infect" one or two people with the powder. Then check the area and other people with the black light later and see how the "germs" have spread.
Splash! Scouts BSA Nova Award (Science) Helps and Documents
Splash! is the Scouts BSA Nova Award for investigating water science. To earn this award, Scouts must complete one of their science related merit badges and learn about related topics such as pollution, health, water cycle, and waste treatment. Scouts also learn how water is processed and consumed.
Mendel’s Minions Scouts BSA Nova Award (Genetic Science) Helps and Documents
Mendel's Minions is the Scouts BSA Nova Award for investigating genetic science. To earn this award, Scouts must complete one of their science related merit badges and learn about related topics such as DNA, inheritance, genetic diseases, genetically modified food, the Human Genome Project, and more.