Mod 5 Flashcards
Epidemiology
discipline that describes, quantifies and postulates casual mechanisms for disease in populations and develops methods for the control of diseases
Epidemiology assumptions (2)
1) occurance of disease is not random
2) study of populations enable the ID of causes and preventive factors associated with disease
Epidemiology functions
surveillance
investigation
stuies
eval
links
policy development
What does epidemiology offer community nurses?
method for assessing health of aggregates –> provide frame of reference for investigating and improving clinical practice
Morbidity
presence of disease
Mortality
occurrence of death
data
making sense of information
Morbidity rate formula
estimated population as of july 1st x 100,000
Understanding risk for injury/disease
- biology, environment, lifestyle, system of health care
- negative influences on health increase probability of disease
Population at risk
greater probability of developing health problem than other groups
Relative risk ratio
compares disease occurance with population at risk to general public without risk factor.
assists in determining most effective points for community health intervention, method for explaining risks
Relative risk >1.0
those with risk factor greater likelihood of aquiring disease
Prevelance
number of cases of disease in a population at certain time period
provides indication of extent of health problem
period prevelance
rate of instance within population
Instance
new cases of disease in period of time
comparing rates that vary among subgroups/exposures
Attack rate
describes proportion of a group or population that develops a disease among all exposed to risk (ex. outbreaks)
To develop a disease you must both be
susceptible and exposed
Agent
factor that causes disease
biological, chemical, nutritional, physical
Eg. smoke/ tars/chemicals in tobacco
Epidemiologic triad
host, agent, environmental factor
Host
recipient/victim
biological, behavioral or social factors
Eg. personal developed lung cancer, smoking habit
Environment
external
social, physical, biological
Eg. smoking on job permitted, products accessible
What relationships does epidemiology focus on?
Casual (cause and effect)
why conditions develop, offer prevention and protection
Interventions (3) for infection chain
1) Controlling or eliminating agent at source of transmission
2) Protecting portals of entry
3) Increasing host’s defenses
Communicable/infectious disease
illness spread by coming in contact with an infected someone or something: Bacteria,viruses, and parasites
Immunity
host’s ability to resist a particular infectious disease–causing agent. This occurs when the body forms antibodies and lymphocytes that react with the foreign antigenic molecules and render them harmless
Public health immunity
significance in determining which individuals and groups are protected against disease and which may be vulnerable
Passive immunity
Naturally/artificial
newborns through breast milk
Active immunity
naturally acquired (host infection)
vaccine
Cross Immunity
passive or active,
immunity to one agent provides protection from another
Herd immunity
Mandatory preschool immunizations and required travel vaccinations are applications of the herd immunity concept.
Susceptibility
pre-exposure when vulnerable/at risk
Infection
initial transmittion
Incubation/Latent period
the number of days between when you’re infected with something and when you might see symptoms
Infectious period
few days before symptoms appear
Surveillance
used to monitor outbreaks as well as identify cause and control the spread
Disease cluster
increase occurance of disease within geographic area or among group of people.
In a small town, there is a sudden increase in the number of residents reporting similar symptoms of gastrointestinal distress within a week.
disease cluster
Outbreak
occurance of disease in a population that is greater than expected
At a college campus, there is a significant increase in the number of students diagnosed with the flu during a winter semester. The number of cases exceeds what is typically expected, leading to public health authorities taking action to prevent further spread.
outbreak
Epidemic
increase in cases of disease beyond what is typically expected in a population
In a densely populated urban area, there is a rapid and widespread increase in the number of individuals contracting a new strain of a highly contagious respiratory virus. The cases surge beyond normal levels, and it affects multiple neighborhoods within the city.
epidemic
Pandemic
epidemic spread over a large area, crossing internationally
Endemic
consistent, ongoing presence of disease within specific population or geographic area
Malaria is in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It regularly occurs at a relatively stable rate year-round in these regions, and the population has developed some level of immunity or adaptation to the disease.
Endemic
Four control steps for epidemic
Test - identify cases
Isolate
Quarantine
Trace/contact trace - id people who have come in contact
Goals in Communicable Disease:
Control
reduce instance of disease
diarrhea
Goals in Communicable Disease
Eliminate disease
reduce to zero instance
neonatal tetanus
Goals in Communicable Disease
Elimination of infection
reduce to zero instance of infection
measles, polio
Goals in Communicable Disease
Eradication
permanent reduction to zero
smallpox
global health
an area for study, research, practice that improves health and health equity for all
Population growth
High density of people increase risk for communicable and infectious disease
Interdependency
What occurs in one country can effect others (financial, environmental and communicable disease)
Immigration
r/t extreme poverty, religious, ethic persecution, war or humanitarian emergencies
Geography
pollution considerations
Top 3 COD worldwide
Ischemic heart disease
stroke
lower respiratory infection
Global burden of disease
Looks at the major causes of morbidity and mortality around the world, and how the risk of disease varies with regions.
Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY)
sum of years of premature deaths or living with health condition
Universal Imperatives of care
Mortality***
morbidity
ADL
Decision-making
cost
access
2030 Agenda for sustainable development
all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
