Intro to population health Flashcards
What is epidemiology?
Study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations
What is public health?
science and art of: - prolonging life - preventing disease - promoting health in the population by the organised efforts of society
What is the value for studying health and disease in populations?
impact of given disease on community, by looking at the following markers:
- BURDEN: mortality (deaths) and morbidity (ill-health)
- informs who is at risk for a condition (people, places and time)
- ID of the causes of a disease
- used for Dx, management and prevention
- understanding progression of disease
These differ to various extents amongst different conditions
What is the importance of disease rates (risks) in describing disease in epidemiology and public health?
These link individual cases of disease to the underlying population at risk
Rate = number of cases/population at risk
How may variation exist between people?
- Age
- Sex (gender)
- Social class
- Ethnic origin
How does geographical location affect disease prevalence?
macro-location: global location, developed or not, endemic illnesses
micro-location: within UK, high risk areas, postcode lottery, CCGs.
What is the cause of a disease?
A factor which is of itself increases the risk of disease occurring
Where do ideas about the causes of disease come from
- from clinical observations
- from the study of disease variation
risk factors for disease
What is the method of testing a cause of disease (via hypothesis)?
Need a comparative study
e.g. compare disease risks in those exposed to H. pylori and those not exposed
What are 3 comparative study types used to test a hypothesis in population?
- case-control (disease vs non-diseased controls) RETROSPECTIVE
- cohort - longitudinal (exposed vs non-exposed PROSPECTIVE
- RCT (exposed vs. not exposed) RANDOMISED ALLOCATION of exposure
What is the value of these comparative studies?
provide objective evidence for associations between potential causes and disease
This may inform future efforts to prevent it or treat it
How many premature deaths occur per given age category?
for 55 million deaths annualy:
- 1/3 at 0-29 years
- 1/3 at 30-69 years
- 1/3 at 70+ years
How many premature deaths occur per given age category?
for 55 million deaths annualy:
- 1/3 at 0-29 years
- 1/3 at 30-69 years
- 1/3 at 70+ years
PREMATURE MORTALITY: deaths before 70yo, 2/3 of annual death rate globally
How can disease be prevented?
- remove the cause of disease
- strengthening the resistance of individuals at risk of disease e.g. immunisation
- by interfering with the pathogenesis of the disease
What constitutes as management of a condition?
- available/effective treatment
- organisation of health services to provide effective treatment in an efficient manner
- Is Rx being provided in a targeted and appropriate manner? Are there individuals not receiving Rx who should be? If so, who are they and why?
(Conversely, are people who don’t need Rx receiving it? Could these be harmful interventions?
