Lab 26: Epidemiology Flashcards
define epidemiology
the study of when and where diseases occur and how they are transmitted
what do epidemiologists study?
they study diseases in populations - gather, organize, and analyze data to prevent their incidence and spread
what are the four steps that epidemiologists do?
- Identify the source of the outbreak.
- Monitor and track the disease.
- Study the disease.
- Develop guidance for actions to slow the spread of the disease and lessen its impact.
what is an incidence rate?
the number of new cases of a disease in a population over a specific time frame.
So, NEW cases.
Example: 120,820 new Covid cases in the past week
what is prevelance rate?
the overall number of cases in a population over a specific time frame.
So, ALL cases in a SPECIFIC time frame.
Example: 104,242,889 total Covid cases
define endemic
expected low-levels of a disease (constantly present in a population or region, with relatively low spread)
define epidemic
greater than expected levels of disease (sudden increase in cases spreading through a large population)
define pandemic
global epidemic (sudden increase in cases across several countries, continents, or the world)
Is the following endemic, epidemic, or pandemic?
Malaria is present in Africa at all times because of the presence of infected mosquitos. Malaria is a/an ____ in Africa.
Endemic
Is the following endemic, epidemic, or pandemic?
The Ebola virus in parts of Africa is in excess of what is expected for this region. This virus is a/an ____.
Epidemic
Is the following endemic, epidemic, or pandemic?
HIV/AIDS is one of the worst global diseases in history. It is a/an ____.
Pandemic
what are index cases?
Epidemiologists also try to find the source of disease outbreaks.
The index case is the first person to have a disease that led to an outbreak.
*The VERY first case
