Midterm Flashcards
What is Epidemiology?
The study of the patterns of disease and health conditions within populations. It also studies the patterns’ causes and how they can be controlled
What is the job of an epidemiologist?
A person who studies how diseases affect populations and how diseases affect specific people in certain populations. Also figure out ways to stop the transmission of the disease in a population
What are the two kinds of epidemiological studies?
- Experimental Study
- Observational Study
Explain Experimental study
- Investigators expose participants to some kind of intervention or treatment to see how it affects their health. Then they compare the outcomes to a control group that isn’t exposed to the intervention or treatment.
- Tends to introduce positive interventions, like a new vaccine, as opposed to a negative intervention like a virus
Explain Observational Study
- Epidemiologists observe a population that is already exposed to a particular treatment or risk factor, and compare their health to a non-exposed group
- This is how we go about understanding the effects of things we don’t want to intentionally expose people to like viruses
Identify Selected activities performed within epidemiology
1) collecting and analyzing data: epidemiologists collect data from various sources, such as surveys, medical records, and laboratory tests. They then analyze this data to identify patterns, trends, and risk factors associated with diseases.
2) conducting surveillance: epidemiologists monitor the occurrence of diseases in populations through surveillance systems. This helps in early detection of outbreaks and tracking the spread of diseases
3) Investigating outbreaks: when outbreaks occur, epidemiologists work to identify the source of the outbreak, track its spread, and implement control measures to prevent further transmission
4) conducting research studies: epidemiologists design and conduct research studies, such as observational studies or clinical trials, to investigate the causes, risk factors, and effectiveness of interventions for diseases
5) developing and implementing prevention strategies: based on findings, epidemiologists develop and recommend prevention strategies, such as vaccination programs, health education campaigns, or policy changes, to reduce the burden of disease
Explain the role of epidemiology in Public Health practice and individual decision making
epidemiology serves as a critical tool in public health practice, providing valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals to make informed decisions that promote health and well-being.
What is a Health Outcome?
-what happens basically anytime our health status changes because of something happening in the world
- Could be a good or bad outcome
Late Work
- All work must be submitted on time
- Extensions: must be requested more than 48 hours before the deadline, if not requested then extension will not be granted unless their is an emergency - Assignments submitted 0-1 days late will be penalized 30%
- Assignments submitted 1-2 days late will be penalized 50%
Attendance Policy
- You are allowed two unexcused absences in the Course
- Should be saved for unforeseen illness and emergencies - After those two absences you will earn a 0 subsequent professionalism accounting for 120 points out of 500 total points
- After two absences a grade will only be excused under two circumstances;
1) unable to attend class due to religious belief and notify professor at least 24 hours in advance
2) unable to attend class for an officially sanctioned event (athletic events, competitions, academic-related conferences, leadership opportunities, and performances)
Technology Policy
- You may use laptops to read text and take notes as needed
- If using a laptop, close any tabs or applications that are not related to the course, and turn off notifications during class period - Keep phone in backpack or upside down on desk so you are not distracted by constant notifications
- Some assignments will be device free meaning no technology should be used
- Remove any AirPods or earbuds at the start of class
Disruptive Behavior
- Students who disrupt the academic process will be asked to leave class and may be subject to more further consequences for repeated or serious offenses
- Ex of Disruptive Behavior include: Cell phone use, sleeping, talking loud enough to distract or disrupt learning of other classmates, reading or working on materials that do not pertain to the given coursework, electronic games, any act of disrespect toward the instructor, a classmate, or any guests
Class Cancellation Policy
- If class is cancelled there will be a make-up lecture or assignment posted on Canvas
- The expectation is that all students are responsible for the material that was to be covered during the cancelled class time
Main uses of epidemiology in public health
collecting and analyzing data about injury, disease, and other negative health outcomes and using that data to identify trends
Explain how the field of epidemiology started and its contribution to the study of causality and disease
Examples illustrating each of the 5 parts of the definition of epidemiology
Modes of transmission for infectious diseases
