Module 8 Epidemiology Flashcards
What is Epidemiology?
the study of incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases. Describes patternss and causes of diseases within populations.
Valid epidemiology studies include: (3 points)
Large sample sizes, select populations (independent variable), data on other factors that may cause the disease (age, gender, lifestyle, etc).
Obesity classification
nutritional disease
Obesity: Cause
High calorie diets, sedentary lifestyle.
Obesity: Global Patterns
650 million adults were obese.
Obesity has tripled since 1975.
Prevalence is highest in the Americas and lowest in south-east Asia.
Obesity: Contributing Factors
Changes in diet (higher in fat and processed foods), changes in lifestyle (sedentary)
What does it mean by ‘nutritional transition’
a term used to define a set of changing risk factors that a country may face as they develop.
Cancer: Classification
Environmental/ lifestyle disease
Cancer: Cause
Physical, chemical, biological carcinogens, as well as genetic factors, resulting in transformation of normal cells into abnormal tumour cells.
Cancer: Global Patterns
Second leading cause of death globally.
70% of cancer deaths occur in middle and low income countries.
Tobacco use is responsible for approx. 22% of cancer deaths.
Most fatal cancers (global)
Lung, liver, colorectal, stomach, breast.
Prevention methods for Type 2 Diabetes
- Maintaining a normal weight
- Eating a healthy and varied diet
- Exercising regularly
Treatment and management of Type 2 Diabetes
Lifestyle: Eating well, exercising
Monitoring glucose levels
Treatment: medication called metformin, insulin injections, bariatric surgery
Three main types of epidemiological studies:
Descriptive, analytical, experimental
Descriptive epidemiological study
a study of the patterns of distribution within and across populations.
Analytical epidemiological study
a study examining known associations, or testing specific hypotheses
Experimental epidemiological study
a study which measures the effectiveness of interventions, such as clinical or community trials of new treatments.
