Chapter 3 Flashcards
Epidemeology
study of the origin prevelance and distribution of disease across groups; importance of personal characteristics.. Identification of cause and effect relationships
Social epidemiology
Includes the characteristics of a - the group/agent b - the person c- the social environment
Agents of disease
Biological - bacteria, virus, etc Nutritional - fats, cholesterol Chemical - toxins, gases Physical - radiation, temp Social and economic environment - class inequality Human conditions
Epidemiological transition
The transition from acute infectious diseases to chronic degenerative disease; took place because of social advances, not necessarily medical ones
Reasons why acute infectious diseases are less common
Better sanitation Housing regulations Immunization Less crowding Cleaner water Treatments
Eras of epidemiology
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
Life expectancy
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
Implication of rise of life expectancy
More old people. More money
Mortality
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
Morbidity
Rates of illness and disease, higher for women
Know more about our bodies
More likely to be caregivers
More likely to seek help
Infant mortality
Defined as the number of infant deaths for every 1000 babies
Neonatal mortality vs post neonatal
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
Incidence
Refers to new cases added to the population within a given period
Prevalence
Refers to the total number of cases of a condition present at a given time
Restricted activity days
Days in which a person cuts down his or her activities for more than half of the day due to illness or injury
Gender paradox
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
Cycle of poverty and pathology
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
Morbidity and SES
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
Race and health
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
The Whitehall studies
White collared Brits on equal levels across the board still saw evidence of health effects due to hierarchy
