01 Basics

Question 1

Definition of Epidemiology

Answer 1

study of
- distribution
- determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations
- application of this study to control health problems

Question 2

Name the main goals of (clinical) epidemiology

Answer 2

1. descriptive:
   - assess the burden
2. analytic:
   - analyse the natural cause and prognosis of disease
   - detect causes and risk factors
3. take action:
   - assess preventive or therapeutic interventions and/or changes in medical health care system
   - generate a basis for health care politics or individual patients

Question 3

Describe endemic, epidemic and pandemic

Answer 3

endemic:
- habitual presence/usual occurrence of disease in a given geographic area
epidemic:
- occurrence in a community/region of a group of illnesses of similar nature
pandemic:
- worldwide epidemic (at least two continents)

Question 4

History of epidemiology

Answer 4

R. Virchow: 1848; promoted public health
F. Nightingale: 1858; social reformer and statistician
John Snow: 1853/54; first epidemiological study including hypothesis, data collection and analysis (cholera in water)

Question 5

What are typical reasons for case decline?

Answer 5

• population decreases (flight or death)
• removal of source
• prevention

Question 6

Describe John Snows actions

Answer 6

• describe the frequency (how many, where, when)
• identify important factors (sick got the water from the same fountain)
• change system (remove pump handle)