Question

select the correct answer.
which one of the following people has the most direct and most cost - effective opportunity to avoid developing disease or injury?
a. cathy is addicted to cigarettes.
b. juan is depressed because of a recent death in the family.
c. meryl has diabetes just as her mother did.
d. paul lives and works in a city with poor air quality.

Explanation:

To determine who has the most direct and cost - effective opportunity to avoid disease or injury, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Cathy is addicted to cigarettes. Quitting smoking is a direct and relatively cost - effective (it can save money in the long run on cigarette purchases and reduce medical costs from smoking - related illnesses) action she can take to avoid smoking - related diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, etc.
• Option B: Juan is depressed due to a family death. While seeking support or therapy can help, it may not be as straightforward or cost - effective as a behavior change like quitting a harmful habit. Also, the depression is a reaction to a significant life event, and resolving it may take more complex and potentially costly interventions.
• Option C: Meryl has diabetes like her mother. While she can manage it through diet, exercise, and medication, she already has the disease, and preventing its complications is important but not the same as avoiding the initial development of a disease (since she already has it). Also, managing diabetes can involve ongoing costs for medication and medical care.
• Option D: Paul lives in a city with poor air quality. Avoiding poor air quality would require moving, which is a major and costly life change, or using expensive air filtration systems. It is not as direct or cost - effective as a personal behavior change like quitting smoking.

Answer:

A. Cathy is addicted to cigarettes.