Epidemiology

Question 1

The role of Epidemiology and the people who study it

Answer 1

Epidemiology is the study of data and statistic and health status measures, to monitor burden of disease in specific populations. Its used to predict life expectancies and disease outbreaks and to advise and inform health promotion.
Epidemiologists count cases of disease-> define the affected population -> compute rates of disease. they compare these rates with other populations and make inferences about the patterns of disease to determine whether a problem exists or is likely to exist in the future.

Question 2

Epidemiologists will typically ask the following questions:

Answer 2

1. Which individuals have experienced the event?
2. When did they experience the event?
3. Where are the individuals who have experienced the event?
4. What environmental tactors are associated with the event?

Question 3

The measures of it

Answer 3

1. Mortality
2. Morbidity
3. Life expectancy
4. Incidence of diseases
5. Prevalence of diseases
6. Burden of disease

Question 4

Mortality

Answer 4

death. Can refer to the number of people who have died in a population or a larger number of people who die due to a particular cause

Question 5

Morbidity

Answer 5

Morbidity- sickness or illness. Can refer to the number of people sick or diseased in a population. The number of unhealthy people.

Question 6

Life expectancy

Answer 6

how long on average a person is expected to live specific to population of origin or ethnic group. The number of years a population group is expected to live is based on a statistical average of recent mortality rates.

Question 7

Incidence of disease

Answer 7

the number of new cases of a disease or condition in a specific place and time period. This gives an indication of the risk of contracting a disease for an individual. This measure gives an individual. This measure is used to track disease outbreaks and spread.

Question 8

Prevelance of disease

Answer 8

Prevalence of diseases- the overall number of new cases of a specific disease in a given population at a certain time. This measure gives an indication of the overall size of the health problem, how widespread it is, how many people are affected.

Question 9

Burden of disease

Answer 9

health loss to society due to disease or injury that remains after treatment, rehabilitation or prevention efforts. One measure of burden of diseases is disability-adjusted life years.

Question 10

Epidemiology triangle

Answer 10

Host- age, sex, immune status, previous diseases
Environment- temperature, crowding, pollution, water
Agent- bacteria, viruses, chemical, radiation