A1 Understand health issues page 11 Flashcards
What is epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases and health problems, as well as factors affecting their spread in populations.
What is the role of epidemiologists?
Epidemiologists gather data on disease distribution, identify risk factors, and use this evidence to shape public policies for disease control.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence in epidemiology?
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease, while prevalence refers to the total number of people with the disease at a given time.
What is an endemic disease? Provide an example.
An endemic disease is one that is always present in a particular area or population, such as chicken pox in children worldwide.
What is an epidemic, and how does it differ from a pandemic?
An epidemic is a sudden outbreak of a disease affecting many people in a specific area or population. A pandemic spreads across a large area, such as a continent or globally.
What is a pandemic, and what is an example of one?
A pandemic is a widespread epidemic across large areas or globally. An example is the Covid-19 pandemic.
How do local health authorities in Britain handle disease outbreaks?
Local health authorities report outbreaks to the Department of Health and Social Care, which can escalate reports to the WHO if necessary.
What are some of the methods used to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases?
Methods include vaccinations, antibiotics, and preventative measures like flu shots for vulnerable groups, as well as sanitation practices to reduce transmission.
