Chapter 1

Question 1

Determinants of health are the

Answer 1

biological, behavioral, social, environmental, political, and other factors that influence the health status of individuals and populations.

Question 2

Health Research

Answer 2

is the investigation of health and disease or any of the factors that contribute to the presence or absence of physical, mental, and social health among individuals, families, communities, nations, or the world population as a whole.

Question 3

Medicine

Answer 3

is the practice of preventing, diagnosing, and treating health problems in individuals and families.

Question 4

Clinical

Answer 4

evaluates the best ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat adverse health issues that adversely affect individuals and families

Question 5

For example, clinical research projects may examine

Answer 5

the progression of a disease over time, compare the effectiveness of various therapeutic regimens, or test the safety and utility of new diagnostic tests, medications, or medical devices.

Question 6

Clinical research vs basic medical research

Answer 6

clin: uses humans as the unit of investigation

BMR: studies molecules, genes, cells, and other smaller biological components related to human function and health.

Question 7

Translation research

Answer 7

bridges basic research and clinical research by applying scientific discoveries to the improvement of clinical outcomes. The aim of translational medicine is to move research from the bench (the laboratory) to the bedside (clinical care settings).

Question 8

Population Health

Answer 8

focuses on the health outcomes and the determinants of health in groups of humans. Population health is a function of many factors, including human behaviors, the social and economic environment, the physical environment, access to healthcare services, and many other exposures.

Question 9

Public Health

Answer 9

consists of the actions taken to promote health and prevent illnesses, injuries, and early deaths at the population level. Public health practitioners monitor health status in communities, mitigate environmental hazards, provide health education, support community health partnerships, develop public health policies, enforce safety regulations, and ensure access to essential health services.

Question 10

Public Health Research

Answer 10

examines health outcomes at the community, regional, national, and worldwide levels. For example, public health researchers assess population needs and capacities; design, implement, and test population-based health interventions; and evaluate population-based health programs, projects, and policies.

Question 11

Clinical vs population health research

Answer 11

clinical: draws on the tools of the laboratory sciences, such as molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, nutrition, and genetics.

Population Health: uses tools from demography, the study of the size and composition of populations and of population dynamics, such as birth and death rates.

Question 12

What do Clinical and population health research have in common

Answer 12

• apply the tools from a diversity of academic disciplines.
• use the methods of social science fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and economics.

Question 13

Five steps of the research process

Answer 13

Identify study question
Select study approach
Design study and collect data
Analyze data
Report findings

Question 14

Five steps involved in selecting the focus of the study

Answer 14

• selecting a research question
• reviewing the literature
• defining specific aims
• professional development
• coauthoring