Epidemiology

Question 1

What is epidemiology?

Answer 1

• CDC: study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in specified populations and the application of the study to control health problems
• Study: epidemiology is the basic science of public health
• Distribution: frequency and pattern of health events
• Determinants: search for causes or factors that are associated with an increased risk of disease
• Health-related states: infectious disease, chronic disease, environmental health, behavioral health, injury
• Populations: groups of people (not individual)
• Control: analytical tool and method to guide decision making, public policy, evaluate interventions

Question 2

Epidemiology and Assessment

Answer 2

• Assessment, monitoring, surveillance of local health problems and needs, and of resources for dealing with them
• Monitor health status and understand health issues facing the community
• Protect people from health hazards and health problems

Question 3

Epidemiology and Policy

Answer 3

• Policy development and leadership, emphasizes local needs, advocates for equitable distribution of public resources
• Give people the information they need to make healthy choices
• Engage the community to ID and solve health problems
• Develop public health policies and plans

Question 4

Epidemiology and Assurance

Answer 4

• High quality services are available and accessible to all persons
• Enforce public health law and regulations
• Help people receive health services
• Maintain a competent public health workforce
• Evaluate and improve programs

Question 5

Epidemiology and Minnesota Wheel

Answer 5

• Surveillance
• Investigation
• Outreach
• Screening

Question 6

3 Epidemiologic Conceptual models

Answer 6

• Epi triangle
• Wheel of causation
• Web of causation

Question 7

Natural history and spectrum of disease

Answer 7

• Knowing this helps us to identify how we should intervene and at what level of prevention
• Tells us about progression of disease over time

Question 8

Prepathogenesis

Answer 8

• Before you get sick
• Interrelations of host, environment that can prevent you from getting sick or put you at risk
• Primary prevention: health promotion and specific protection

Question 9

Pathogenesis

Answer 9

• Subclinical and latency periods of disease

- Secondary and tertiary prevention: diagnosis, treatment, rehab

Question 10

Subclinical disease

Answer 10

• Time of exposure to onset of disease symptoms
• Incubation period = communicable disease
• Latency period = chronic disease
• No s/s but may be detectable with labs, xray, screening

Question 11

Clinical disease

Answer 11

• Marked by onset of symptoms

- Spectrum = mild to severe or fatal