Definitions Flashcards
Proportion
Division of 2 related numbers (numerator is subset of denominator)
Ratio
Division of 2 unrelated numbers (numerator is not part of denominator)
Rate
Division of 2 numbers with TIME incorporated into the denominator
Outbreak
Epidemic limited to a localized increase in occurrence of disease
Cluster
Similar to outbreak in smaller number/area
Endemic
Constant presence of a disease within a given area or population in excess of normal levels in other areas
Epidemic
Community/period clearly defined where occurrence of disease is clearly above normal expectancy
Pandemic
Epidemic that spans across the globe
Populaton
Group of interest
Case
Most critical element that must be defined before and of the W’s of descriptive epidemiology can be accomplished
Frequency
Number of disease occurrences, counts in relation to size of the population
Morbidity
Number of persons with disease
Mortality
Number of deaths (all causes or cause-specific)
Fecundity
Capacity for producing offspring, especially in abundance
Natality
Ratio ofn umber of births to the size of the population (birth rate)
Primary Prevention
Protection of health by personal and communal efforts
Secondary Prevention
Early detection and prompt intervention to control disease and minimize disability
Tertiary Prevention
Softening the impact of long-term disease and disability by eliminating or reducing impairment, disability and handicap, minimizing suffering, and maximizing potential years of useful life
Immunity/Immunization
Resistance of an organism to disease or infection
Induction Period
Period required for a specific agent to produce a disease
Latency Period
Interval between exposure to an infectious organism or a carcinogen and the clinical appearance of disease
Absolute Difference
Simple count that gives an exact number
Relative Difference
Gives approximate numbers based on ratios, proportions, & rates
Fixed VS. Dynamic Population
Dynamic populations change in number
Fixed populations are held at a specific number
Population VS. Sample
Population is an entire group of people
Sample is a small sub-group of entire group that represents the entire group
Surveillance
Monitor aspects of disease occurrence that are pertinent to effective control
Syndromic Surveillance
Collection, analysis, & interpretation of near-real-time indicators of diseases and other outbreaks
