Introduction (Sept 4) Flashcards
Epidemiology
study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events in populations, and the applications of this study to control health problems
John Snow’s Cholera Hypothesis
Surveyed houses in London and observed that more people died of cholera in houses supplied by a company that got their water from a more polluted part of the Thames river
Broad Street Pump
Rapid increase in fatal attacks and deaths. Pump handle removed- reduction in fatal attacks and deaths attributed to cholera within surveyed area
Core lesson about preventing disease
We do not have to understand everything about the biology and pathogenesis of disease to prevent disease
Objectives of epidemiology
Determine the extent of disease in community, natural history of the disease, identify risk factors, aid in developing public policy, evaluate methods of healthcare delivery
Distribution
“describe” Who gets it? Patterns of disease within or between populations
Determinants
“analytics” Why do they get it? Certain characteristics or behaviours that predispose us to or protect us from disease (can be genetic, environmental, or a combo)
Exposure
Something we: do (exercise), are (ethnicity, sex), possess (gene), ingest (food, drug)
Outcome
Something that happens to us: disease diagnosis (heart disease, osteoporosis), disease event (heart attack, fracture)
Smoking is a ______ for lung cancer
Determinant- men who smoke are 23 times more likely to get lung cancer than never smokers
Infertility in women is a _____ for ovarian cancer
Determinant- infertility in women is associated with a 36% higher risk of ovarian cancer
BMI is a _____ for risk of renal cell carcinoma
Determinant- Risk of renal cell carcinoma in men increases 6% for every 1 unit increase in BMI
Red meat consumption is ____ for diabetes
Determinant- Increasing red meat consumption by more than half a serving a day for four years is linked with a 48% higher risk of diabetes
Determinant for Stimulant Drug use
college students tend to try stimulants for the first time in November, December, and April