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Introduction to Epidemiology > Lecture 2 & 3 Intro to Epidemiology > Flashcards

Lecture 2 & 3 Intro to Epidemiology Flashcards

1
Q

Epidemiology

A

Public health discipline basic science which studies
-Distribution
-Determinants
in specified populations

Figuring out what causes disease and who gets it

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2
Q

Distribution of Disease

A

Frequencies and Patterns of disease

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3
Q

Disease Frequency

A

Part of Distribution of Disease
Not only counts but also counts in relation to size of population
-Comparisons between populations possible

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4
Q

Disease Patterns

A 
Part of distribution of disease
Encompasses:
-Person
-Place
-Time
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5
Q

Descriptive Epidemiology

A

Who
When
Where
The 3 W’s

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6
Q

Determinants of Disease

A

AKA Risk Factors or Associations

Can be positive (associated with reduction, prevention) or negative (increase, promotion)

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7
Q

Ex negative risk factor

A

smoking and lung cancer

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8
Q

Ex positive risk factor

A

breast cancer and breastfeeding

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9
Q

Analytic Epidemiology

A

Why and How

Determinants of Disease

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10
Q

Objectives of Epidemiology

A

Study natural course of disease
Determine the extent of disease
Identify patterns and trends in disease
Identify the causes of disease
Evaluate the effectiveness of measures that protect and treat disease
Assist in developing public health policy

IN POPULATIONS

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11
Q

Father of Epidemiology

A

John Snow

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12
Q

John Snow

A

Father of Epidemiology
Observed people dying in community, wanted to know why, finally figured out it was water supply, took pump off and disease decreased.

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13
Q

Last pandemic

A

2009 H1N1 (Influenza A)

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14
Q

Last pandemic before H1H1

A

1918

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15
Q

What does basic science study?

A

Cells, tissues, animals

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16
Q

What does clinical study?

A

Sick patients

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17
Q

What does public health study?

A

Populations or communities

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18
Q

Basic science research goals

A

Understanding disease mechanism and effects of substances

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19
Q

Clinical research goals

A

Improving diagnosis and treatment of disease

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20
Q

Public health research goals

A

Prevention of disease and promotion of health in the population

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21
Q

Basic science examples

A

Pharmacology, Microbiology, Biochemistry

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22
Q

Clinical science examples

A

Internal Medicine, Health Policy & Management

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23
Q

Dr source of data

A

History and physical exams

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24
Q

Epidemiologist source of data

A

Surveillance and descriptive epidemiology

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25
Dr assessment
Differential diagnosis
26
Epi assessment
Inference
27
Dr Hypothesis testing
Diagnostic studies
28
Epi Hypothesis testing
Analytical Epidemiology
29
Dr Action
Treatment
30
Epi Action
Community Intervention
31
Epidemiological Assumptions
* Disease occurrence is NOT random * Systematic investigation of different populations can identify associations, causal and preventive factors * Making comparisons is the cornerstone of systematic epi investigations.
32
What is the cornerstone of systematic epidemiological investigations?
Making comparisions
33
6 core functions of epidemiology
1. Public Health surveillance 2. Field investigation 3. Analytic studies 4. Evaluation 5. Linkages 6. Policy development
34
Public health surveillance
Core Function of epi count, track and record To portray the ongoing patterns of desease occurrence so that investigation, control and prevention measures can be applied
35
Field investigation
Core Function of epi ask questions and look for what they have in common To determine source or vehicle of disease or to simply learn more about the natural history, clinical spectrum, descriptive epidemiology and risk factors of a disease
36
Analytic studies
Core function of epi start setting up comparison groups, do assumptions hold true? To advance the information (hypotheses) generated by descriptive epidemiology techniques **Hallmark is use of comparison group
37
Evaluation
Core Function of epi Figure out what you are looking at data wise Evaluate findings To determine, as systematically and objectively as possible, the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of activities with respect to established goals
38
Linkages
Core Function of epi | Talking. When you figure out what cause is, do something!
39
Policy Development
``` Core Function of epi If public health related event that needs policy to change, start it! To collaborate (link) with other professionals ```
40
Examples of policy development by epi
Helmet laws, smoking bans
41
Public health surveillance examples
Reportable diseases registry (pertussis, meningitis)
42
Field investigation examples
Ground beef as source of o157:H7 Eggs as source of salmonella *initial investigation of "SARS" before it was named and known
43
Hallmark of an analytic study is
the use of a comparison group
44
Key skills for Analytic studies
Design, conduct, analysis, interpretation and communication of research study processes and data
45
Linkage examples
``` Laboratory specialists Sanitarians Physicians Federal, state and regional governments Communities ```
46
Definition of Epidemiology ends with...
"...and the application of this study to the control of health problems." Core function of epi, policy development
47
The Epidemiological Approach
describing groups and events by: * Counting * Dividing * Comparing
48
Counting
Counting cases/health events and describing them in terms of person, place and time -Case and study population definitions a key function
49
Dividing
Dividing the # of cases by an appropriate denominator to calculate rates, ratios and proportions
50
Comparing
Comparing rates over time for different groups of people
51
2 Categories of Studies
1. Observational (descriptive, analytical) | 2. Experimental (interventional aka clinical)
52
Observational Studies
Descriptive | Analytical
53
Experimental Studies
Interventional aka Clinical
54
Types of Analytical Studies
Case-Control Cohort Experimental - Pre Clinical - Phase 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
55
Population
All individuals making up a common group; from which a sample (smaller set) can be obtained, if desired. **Don't confuse with 'study population', which is the final group of individuals selected for study
56
Sample
A subset or portion of the full, complete population (representatives) -useful when studying the complete population is not feasible
57
Ways to acquire a sample
Random number generator (computer) Pre-defined sample (every 3rd patient, everyone admitted on weekends) Convenience sample
58
Inferential Statistics
Inferences (conclusions) made about random data relative to a sample
59
Generalizability
Inferential statistics transposed from the sample to the full population
60
Epidemic
Occurrence of disease clearly in excess of normal expectancy * Community/Period clearly defined * Goal is to capture disease as early as possible
61
Endemic
The constant presence of a disease within a given area or population in excess of normal levels in other areas Ex. Malaria in UK
62
Outbreak
aka Upsurge/cluster | An epidemic limited to a localized increase in the occurrence of disease
63
Pandemic
An epidemic occurring over a very wide area involving a large number of people *Many times multi-region or multi-national
64
Primary Prevention
Preventing or halting a disease before it occurs or becomes established
65
Example of Primary Prevention
Low dose aspirin in prevention of cardiovascular disease in women
66
Secondary Prevention
Interrupts the disease process before it becomes symptomatic or prevents it from progressing or recurring

Introduction to Epidemiology (4 decks)

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