Final answer:
The lessons on controlling blood-borne pathogens from the HIV crisis could have been learned earlier by studying Hepatitis, which is also a blood-borne pathogen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the identification of a disease that could have informed public health practices regarding blood-borne pathogens prior to the HIV crisis. The correct answer is c. Hepatitis. Hepatitis, like HIV, is a blood-borne pathogen. Studies on the transmission and control of hepatitis could have provided valuable insights into the control of other blood-borne diseases, including HIV. It’s important to note that while diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, and malaria have had significant impacts on public health, they do not primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact and therefore are less relevant to the topic of blood-borne pathogens specifically.