Chapter 3

Question 1

Epidemeology

Answer 1

study of the origin prevelance and distribution of disease across groups; importance of personal characteristics.. Identification of cause and effect relationships

Question 2

Social epidemiology

Answer 2

Includes the characteristics of a - the group/agent b - the person c- the social environment

Question 3

Agents of disease

Answer 3

Biological - bacteria, virus, etc
Nutritional - fats, cholesterol 
Chemical - toxins, gases
Physical - radiation, temp
Social and economic environment - class inequality 
Human conditions

Question 4

Epidemiological transition

Answer 4

The transition from acute infectious diseases to chronic degenerative disease; took place because of social advances, not necessarily medical ones

Question 5

Reasons why acute infectious diseases are less common

Answer 5

Better sanitation
Housing regulations
Immunization 
Less crowding
Cleaner water 
Treatments

Question 6

Eras of epidemiology

Answer 6

1) age of pestilence and famine - epidemics like the flu,diarrhea tab
2) receding pandemics - improvements in sanitation made
3) degenerative and human made disease - mid 1900s life expectancy rose mortality rates dropped. Influx of degenerative diseases
4) delayed degenerative disease - mid 60’s risk of dying from degenerative disease pushed back to an older age
5) obesity and inactivity - previous phase being undermined by an epidemic of obesity

Question 7

Life expectancy

Answer 7

Reflects the average number of of years that a person born in a given year can expect to life
Trends: since 1900 life expectancy has increased more than 30 years

Question 8

Implication of rise of life expectancy

Answer 8

More old people. More money

Question 9

Mortality

Answer 9

Rates of death in a population. Reported ratios crude death rate. Decline almost 50% since 1900. Higher for men - White women live longest, black men live shortest

Question 10

Morbidity

Answer 10

Rates of illness and disease, higher for women
Know more about our bodies
More likely to be caregivers
More likely to seek help

Question 11

Infant mortality

Answer 11

Defined as the number of infant deaths for every 1000 babies

Question 12

Neonatal mortality vs post neonatal

Answer 12

First 28 days; after 28
Neonatal deaths are often direct consequence of genetic problems or difficulties during birth. Post neonatal us a better reflection of babies o die due to socioeconomic conditions

Question 13

Incidence

Answer 13

Refers to new cases added to the population within a given period

Question 14

Prevalence

Answer 14

Refers to the total number of cases of a condition present at a given time

Question 15

Restricted activity days

Answer 15

Days in which a person cuts down his or her activities for more than half of the day due to illness or injury

Question 16

Gender paradox

Answer 16

Suffer from the same types of diseases and disability but different frequency, pace and severity
Women suffer from less life threatening diseases and disability but have higher morbidity because of oppression

Question 17

Cycle of poverty and pathology

Answer 17

Low social class influences environmental conditions, social isolation and inadequate medical care which influences psychological stress and individual behavior which Influences health status which influences social class… Pretty much a cluster fuck of these variables influencing each other pg 57

Question 18

Morbidity and SES

Answer 18

People in poverty on average live 7 years less, more likely to suffer from chronic and acute diseases. Class mediates exposure to living conditions, educations, accessibility, lifestyle
Lack of aspirin does not cause you to have a headache - social structure does

Question 19

Race and health

Answer 19

1) SES 25% blacks are in poverty, race mediates class (see SES and morbidity)
2) race also has direct effect racial hierarchy. Racism in health care and education, incarceration and house, and the stress from racism

Question 20

The Whitehall studies

Answer 20

White collared Brits on equal levels across the board still saw evidence of health effects due to hierarchy