quiz 1 Flashcards
lesson 1
Epidemiology
distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
what kind of science is epidemiology?
observational science
greek term
epi (upon)
demos (people)
logy (study of)
describe 2 ways in which epidemiology may be considered a liberal arts discipline
sociology (social determinanats of disease)
history (for historical accounts of disease and early epidemiologic methods)
state the diff between description and analysis in epidemiology
d : characterizing the amount and distribution of health and disease within a popul.
a : studies used to test hypotheses
descriptive
describe the occurrence of disease and health outcomes in a population to provide a foundation for further research
- helps identify risk factors and develop hypotheses for future studies but does not examine causes
- amount and distribution
- when? where? who?
- looking for and preventing the burden
analytic
- Why? How?
- examines causal (etiologic) hypotheses regarding the association between exposes and health conditions
list uses of epidemiology
Historical use: history of the helath of populations
Community health: diagnose the health of a community
health services: study the working of health services
risk assessment: estimate individuals’ risks of disease, accident, or defect
disease causality: search for the causes of health and disease
distribution
occurrence of diseases and other health outcomes varies in populations with some subgroups of the populations more frequently affected than others
determinants
its a cause
- collective or individual risk factor (or set of factors) that is casually related to a health condition, outcome, or other defined characteristic
outcomes
possible results that may stem from exposure to a causal factor
quantification
the counting of cases of illness or other health outcomes such as morality
Interdisciplinary approach
epidemiology uses info from many fields.
- math
- history
- sociology
- demography and geography
- behavioral sciences
- law
use of scientific method
the work of an epidemiologist is driven by theories, hypotheses, and empirical data.
skills acquired from training in epidemiology
- interdisciplinary approach
- scienctific method
- critical thinking skills
- problem solving
- communication skills
- use of quantitative and computer methods
control of health problems
epidemiology aids with:
- health promotion
- alleviation of adverse health outcomes
- prevention of disease
Examples of health problems to be controlled:
- Infectious and communicable diseases
- chronic diseases
population focus
the clinician’s “patient” is the individual; the epidemiologist’s “patient” is the community
examples of social determinants:
- family
- income
- environment
- economic stability
- social and community context
- healthcare
- education
frequency
the number of health events, such as the number of cases of cases, and the relationship of that number to the size of the population
pattern
the occurrence of health-related events by time, place, and person
application
applying the knowledge gained by the studies to community-based practice
exposures
related to determinants
- pertain either to contact with a disease-causing factor or to the amount of the factor that impinges upon a group or individuals
health related states
more than just the study of disease, but includes the study of events, behaviors and conditions associated with health.
is this study analytic or descriptive?
“there is a spring formal in a certain building on monday. Today, 12 students were diagnosed with a rash on their necks”
descriptive
