Final answer:
Public health reduces measles incidents primarily through vaccination campaigns using the MMR vaccine to achieve herd immunity. These vaccination programs significantly lowered measles cases in the U.S. and globally. Other measures such as quarantine and public awareness also contribute to disease control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strategy used by public health to reduce the incidence of measles is primarily through vaccination campaigns. These campaigns aim to build herd immunity by immunizing a significant portion of the population with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine), which drastically decreases the number of susceptible individuals. Although quarantine measures and public awareness programs also play a role in disease control, vaccination is the most effective method for preventing outbreaks and ensuring long-term immunity against the measles virus. It is important for vaccination rates to be high enough to maintain this herd immunity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) public domain records, reported cases of measles in the United States decreased significantly after the implementation of vaccination programs. In the 1950s, there were around 700,000 cases annually; however, by the late 1990s, cases had dropped to practically zero and measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. by the year 2000. Globally, deaths from measles also fell dramatically as a result of widespread vaccination.
In summary, vaccines provide a defense by stimulating the immune system to recognize and combat the measles virus if exposure occurs. This herd immunity is crucial for protecting those who are not vaccinated and for preventing a resurgence of the disease.