Epidemiology & Disease Prevention Flashcards
Epidemiology
Study of distribution, determinants of health, disease or injury in human populations and the application of this study to control health problems and improve health status.
Mortality
Number of deaths in a specified population
Morbidity
Number of illnesses in a specified population
Incidence
Number of new cases within a specified population
Prevalence
Total number of people affected at a specified time period
Epidemic
Occurrence of more cases than expected
Endemic
Rate of occurrence that is usual within populations
Pandemic
Rate of occurrence in geographically widespread populations
Surveillance
Monitor or track occurrence of disease
Risk
Where we need intervention, prevention, strategy, support and education.
Probability one will develop condition or experience certain event.
Risk Factor
Looks at statistics, where are the risks.
Any situation, habit, environment condition, physiological condition and any variables that increase vulnerability to injury, accident or illness
Population at risk / High risk population
Groups of people that have the greatest potential to develop a condition.
The presence of risk factors does not mean that a particular population will develop the disease. It tells us where resources go and how to help.
Risk reduction
Disease prevention strategy used to reduce or alter concerns before they reach higher levels.
Harm reduction
Strategies used to decrease adverse health consequences without requiring removing risk behaviour.
Resilliancy
Capacity for an individual, family or group to effectively manage when faced with complete/considerable adversity or risk.
Categories of risk factors
- Genetic and physiological
- Behavioural
- Psychosocial
- Risk conditions
Assumptions about risk
- Each person is faced with quantifiable health hazards
- The client’s risk is comparable to average risk or mortality of a group with similar characteristics.
- Knowledge of risk is motivator for health behaviour change.
- Through risk appraisal, clients know what might occur and how to improve.
Advantages of Risk Approach
- May be a motivator for behaviour change
- Provides reliable information of what is know about the disease
- May lead to health improvement
Disadvantages of Risk Approach
- Appraisal is unlikely to result in risk reduction
- Usually focuses on individual and lifestyle
- Is an estimate and predictions may not be accurate
- May lead to anxiety and guilt
Screening
Identification of unrecognized disease or defect by application of tests, exams, or other procedures. Sorts out apparently well persons from those who aren’t.
Characteristics of a good screening test
- Valid
- Reliable
- Cost to benefit
- Acceptable
When to screen
- It is an important health problem
- Disease has latent or early systematic stage
- There is acceptable treatment
- There are adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment
- There is an accurate screening test
Web of Causation
Drawing of several factors believed to be a health problem and shows how they interplay.
