Final answer:
The disease-specific approach in public health is known as a vertical approach, focusing on controlling or eliminating a specific disease within a population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The name given to a disease-specific approach in public health is a vertical approach. This refers to a strategy that focuses on one particular health issue, implementing measures targeted at controlling or eliminating a specific disease within a population. This type of approach can be contrasted with a horizontal approach that integrates a broad range of health services and systems.
Examples of a vertical approach include campaigns to vaccinate children against polio or the DOTS strategy to treat tuberculosis. These interventions are narrowly tailored to address a very specific health problem without integrating into the broader health system. However, it provides an intensive and concentrated focus on a singular health challenge.