Population Health & Epidemiology

Question 1

What does using the approach of population health help to examine ?

Answer 1

1. The entire range of factors that determine health than focusing on risks and clinical factors related to particular diseases
2. The entire population rather than only ill or high risk individuals

Question 2

What does the term “ public health “ mean ?

Answer 2

• it is the science and art of preventing , prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts of society

Question 3

What are some things that health of communities are affected by ?

Answer 3

• Age and sex distribution
• Racial/ethnic composition
• Socioeconomic status
• Access to health services
• Access to other social services
• Population density
• Physical environment

Question 4

What are the objectives of population health studies ?

Answer 4

1. To describe the health of population and identify the prevalent health problems
2. To explain why the state of health is what it is and why some specific health problems exist
3. To predict health effects
4. To control the development of health problems and diseases and promote health by translating knowledge from population health studies into public health policy

Question 5

What is epidemiology the study of ?

Answer 5

• The study of the distribution and determinants of health related states or events in specified populations and the applications of this study to control health problems

Question 6

What is social epidemiology ?

Answer 6

• it is a branch of epidemiology that examines the relationship between patterns of health and illness and social factors

Question 7

What are the key characteristics of epidemiology ?

Answer 7

• Population focus
• Distribution
• Determinants
• Outcomes
• Quantification
• Control of health problems

Question 8

What is a determinant ?

Answer 8

• Any factor that brings about change in a health condition or other defined characteristics

Question 9

What is morbidity and mortality ?

Answer 9

• Morbidity : Illnesses due to a specific disease or health condition
• Mortality : death

Question 10

How can epidemiology be useful ?

Answer 10

• it can help with health promotion
• It can help with prevention of adverse health outcomes & diseases

Question 11

What does it mean when we say that epidemiology is an interdisciplinary science ?

Answer 11

• It means that it uses information from many fields such as :
  
  • maths and biostatistics
  • History
  • Sociology
  • Demography and geography
  • Behavioural sciences

Question 12

What are the different types of epidemiological studies ?

Answer 12

1. Descriptive epidemiology : which describes the distribution of diseases and health conditions
2. Analytical epidemiology : which examines causes or determinants of health and illness
3. Experimental or interventional epidemiology : which focus on prevention and control of health problems

Question 13

What are some uses of epidemiology ?

Answer 13

• Historical
• Community health
• Health services
• Risk assessment
• Disease causality