Chapter 1: Introduction to Epidemiology

Question 1

What is epidemiology?

Answer 1

Epidemiology is the study of how disease is distributed in populations and factors that influence or determine this distribution.

Question 2

What is epidemiology in public health?

Answer 2

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations and application of this study to control of health problems.

Question 3

List the 5 objectives of epidemiology.

Answer 3

1- identify the etiology of disease
2- to determine the severity of disease within a community or population.
3- to study the natural history and prognosis of a disease.
4- to evaluate new and existing health care initiatives, programs, and treatments.
5- to develop public policy focused on environment, social, or behavioral factors to prevent disease.

Question 4

What is etiology?

Answer 4

Etiology is the cause, or set of causes, that lead to the development of a disease of health condition.

Question 5

List 5 etiological factors

Answer 5

• genetic disorders
• metabolic disorders
• chemical disorders
• environmental disorders
• behavioral disorders

Question 6

Why do we look at patterns of disease?

Answer 6

To identify subgroups within a population who are at increased risk for a disease or health outcome.

Question 7

What are the 3-disease prevention?

Answer 7

Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

Question 8

Define primary prevention.

Answer 8

Primary prevention is action taken to prevent the development of a disease.

Question 9

Define secondary prevention.

Answer 9

Secondary prevention is early intervention and detection for identifying disease in the earliest stages before the onset of symptoms and complications.

Question 10

Define tertiary prevention.

Answer 10

Tertiary prevention is managing a disease or health condition, post diagnosis, to slow or stop disease progression.

Question 11

What is a population-based approaches?

Answer 11

a preventative measure/ intervention is developed for and implemented across an entire population. Ex: food safety

Question 12

What is a high-risk approach?

Answer 12

work to target populations, sub-groups, communities, families, and individuals that have a predisposition or increased of suffering from a health outcome likelihood.
Ex: suicide prevention or sex ed course/prevention

Question 13

Diagnosis

Answer 13

are based on the tracking patterns, symptomology, and establishing of correlations of clinical findings. (Gathering data of disease/determining the nature of the disease.)

Question 14

Prognosis

Answer 14

based on population data and observations. (Life expectancy with disease) (The likelihood of survival)