Module 1 (Epidemiology) Flashcards
Epidemiology definition
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
Population definition
A group of people who share one or more common features.
Calculation for the frequency of dis-ease
Frequency = dis-ease / population
Epidemic definition
When the occurrence of dis-ease is clearly in excess of normal.
Cause
Any event, characteristic or other definable entity, that brings about a change for better or worse in health.
Downstream Interventions
Operate at the micro level. Treatment systems, disease management. Easily changed.
Upstream interventions
Operate at macro level. Government policies, international trade agreements. Not easily changed.
Proximal determinants
Proximate or near to the change in health status. Eg. Lifestyles related to nutrition.
Distal determinants
Either distant in time and or place from the change in health status.
Social capital
The value of social networks that facilitated bonds between similar groups of people.
Health inequities
Differences in the distribution of resources across populations which do not reflect health needs.
Confounding
When the exposure is mixed with another factor that is also associated with the outcome, the study has a bias.
