Public Health Flashcards
Criteria for a screening programme
disease is important in severity / consequences Natural history is known Acceptable treatment exists Suitable test with high sensitivity and specificity Test is acceptable Identifiable 'at risk' group to screen Cost of screening Continuing process Good participation
What is information bias
Also caused measurement bias
Any information used in a study is either measured or recorded inaccurately
Examples of sources of health information and data
ONS Census Birth register / death register Cancer registers Still birth / infant death Abortions Health protection agency Hospital episodes GP databases Notifiable diseases STD notification HSE notification of industrial disease / accidents Microbiology lab notification of diagnosed infections
definition of public health
Science of preventing disease, prolonging life, promoting health and preparing for disaster.
Via organised efforts and education of individuals, societies, organisations and groups.
Define epidemiology
Study of distribution and determinants of health related states and disease related states, among specific populations.
Applying that knowledge to control health problems
Define endemic
pandemic
and epidemic
Endemic = Condition present at a low level among the population at all times
Pandemic = a condition that spreads across regions
epidemic = local outbreak in excess of what is expected in that area at that time
What population groups does PHE identify as being particularly affected by poor sexual and reproductive
health?
Young people
MSM
Black and minority ethnic populations
Women of reproductive age
What key targeted and universal health promotion approaches are suggested by PHE to tackle poor sexual and reproductive health?
Education
- age-appropriate SRE
- open and honest culture re SRH
- reduce stigma /discrimination
- contraceptive options + LARC
- STI & HIV risk, testing and care
Prevention
- Safer sex interventions
- Routine CT screening offered to YP
- Routine offer of HIV test in hospital and GP
- contraceptive advice in abortion, pregnancy loss and maternity care services
Services
- Access to EC, UPT, contraception, maternity services, abortion
- improve access to STI and HIV testing
- Rapid referral after HIV / STI diagnosis, for treatment, FU + management of partners
In England what number of patients drink alcohol at levels that could be harming them?
In England
more than 10 million people drink alcohol at levels that could be harming them
UK Chief Medical Officers recommendation on alcohol units per week
To keep harm to a minimum
Adults should avoid regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week
UK Chief Medical Officers recommendation on alcohol in pregnancy
pregnant women - and women who think they could become pregnant
Safest approach is to avoid alcohol completely
UK Chief Medical Officers recommendation on alcohol for children and young people
Advice for children and young people = an alcohol free approach is best.
But if they do drink it shouldn’t be until at least the age of 15
Short term harms of alcohol
Accidents, causing injury or death to themselves or others, risk of violence, potential poisoning, increased incidence of self-harm.
longer term harms of alcohol
increased risk of developing a range of cancers, liver disease, heart disease, depression, stroke, pancreatitis, epilepsy and increase risk of TB
What is the single largest cause of health inequality
Smoking
