Introduction to epidemiology

Question 1

According to the World Health Organization what is epidemiology?

Answer 1

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems

Question 2

Epidemiology involves the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in occurrence in human populations.

But can be applied to other populations.

What are three main factors that are significant?

Answer 2

• Outcome of interest
• Exposure of interest
• Biostatistical methods

Question 3

What is the ultimate aim of epidemiology?

Answer 3

To prevent disease by eliminating, reducing exposure to its determinants

Question 4

What method is used in epidemiology?

Answer 4

Identification of disease determinants

Question 5

What context is epidemiology used in?

Answer 5

Medicine, public health

Question 6

Epidemiology always focuses on what?

Answer 6

Association

Question 7

What does the scope of epidemiology focus upon?

Answer 7

1. Etiognosis (e)
   Exposure
   Risk factor
   This is the cause (e)
2. Diagnosis
   Disease
   Event
   This is the Effect (e)
3. Intervention as a consequence of event
   This is a Cause (p)
4. Prognosis (p)
   Outcome
   Death
   This is the Effect (p)

Question 8

What are the key terms in epidemiology?

Answer 8

1. Study base
2. Exposure
3. Outcome
4. Prevalence
5. Incidence
6. Risk

Question 9

What does study base refer to in epidemiology?

Answer 9

• Reference population
• Source of the study population
• Population giving rise to the cases
• Defined before cases appear by a geographical area or some other entity like a cohort study

Question 10

What does exposure in epidemiology refer to?

Answer 10

An exposure, risk factor, or other characteristic being observed or measured that is hypothesized to influence an event or manifestation

Question 11

What does outcome in epidemiology refer to?

Answer 11

Disease
Disease progression
Death
Comorbidity
Questionnaire data
Biological endpoints – expression levels

Question 12

What does prevalence in epidemiology refer to?

Answer 12

Proportion of a population found to have a condition at a specific point in time

Question 13

What does Incidence in epidemiology refer to?

Answer 13

The rate of occurrence of new disease during a period of time (incidence) are closely related

Question 14

What does Risk in epidemiology refer to?

Answer 14

Probability of disease developing in an individual in a specified time interval

Question 15

Risk can be outlined according to two measurements of effect.

What are they?

Answer 15

Relative: exposed versus unexposed Absolute: i.e. incidence, prevalence

Question 16

According to Onora O’Neill, organisations should not be aiming to ‘increase trust’, but rather..

Answer 16

Rather, aim to demonstrate trustworthiness

Need intelligent openness about information: Accessible, Intelligible, Useable, Assessable

Question 17

What are general issues in online risk communication?

Instead what is needed?

Answer 17

User-centred design
Layered communication
Multiple representations – one size does not fit all

Relevant info, at right time, in right form

Question 18

What are levels of uncertainty?

Answer 18

DIRECT: Expression of uncertainty about fact or number or science

INDIRECT: Summary of quality of underlying evidence

Question 19

What does Trustworthy communication involve?

Answer 19

Intelligent openness: accessible, intelligible, useable, assessable

Be confident about uncertainty

Listen to and respect audiences

Multiple, layered formats

Test outputs

Vigorously pre-empt misunderstandings

Work closely with communication professionals and journalists