Lesson 2 Flashcards
Epidemiology
the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations and is the principal science of public health.
Descriptive Epidemiology
Investigations of disease pattern in the community. Person (who) place (where) time (when)
Analytic epidemiology
investigation of the cause of disease, or etiogoly.
Prevalence
Number of existing cases that are found in a population at any given point in time. Total cases new and existing
Incidence
New cases within the at-risk population.
Epidemiological triangle
agent, host, environment
Host
age, sex, race, genetic profile, previous diseases, immune status, religion, customs, occupation, marital status, family background
Enviornment
temperature, humidity, altitude, crowding, housing, neighborhood, water, milk, food, radiation, pollution, noise
Agent
biological (bacteria or viruses), chemical (poison, alcohol, smoke), physical (trauma, radiation, fire), nutritional (lack, excess)
Descriptive epidemiology
focuses on the amount and distribution of health and health problems within a population (person, place, and thing0
Retrospective cohort study
Comparison of those who have a particular disease or not. Data collection extends back in time.
Analytic epidemiology
Investigates the causes of disease by determining why a disease rate is lower in one population group than in another.
Cross sectional study
Measures the cause (exposure) and the effect (disease) at the same point in time. Pros can establish the disease prevalence bit not incidence.
Prospective cohort study
Monitors a group of disease-free individuals to determine whether and when a disease occurs.
Randomized clinical trial
A scientific experiment that compares the effects of different treatments or interventions by randomly assigning participants to groups.
Correlations
Statistical measures that describe the relationship between two varables.