T7: Epidemiology Flashcards
epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations. It focuses on the distribution (who, when, and where) and determinants (why and how) of health-related states or events, including diseases.
- Objective: The primary goal is to understand the causes and patterns of health and disease in populations, which can then inform public health strategies and policies to prevent and control diseases.
descriptive epidemiology
Descriptive epidemiology is a branch of epidemiology that focuses on describing the distribution of diseases and health outcomes according to person, place, and time.
Objective: Its primary aim is to identify patterns and trends in health events by categorizing them based on demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), geographic locations, and time periods.
descriptive epidemiology focuses on the…
WHO, WHEN, WHERE, WHAT, PERSON, PLACE, TIME
analytic epidemiology
looks at the etiology (origins or causes) of the disease and deals with determinants of health and disease.
analytic epidemiology focuses on the…
CAUSES AND EFFECTS, HOW AND WHY
determinants of health events
are those factors exposures, characteristics, behaviors, and contexts that determine (or influence) the patterns.
john snows study
- Mapping Cases: Snow demonstrated the use of geographic mapping to identify disease patterns and clusters.
- Identifying the Source: He linked cholera outbreaks to contaminated water sources, particularly the Broad Street pump.
- Comparative Analysis: He compared cholera rates among households served by different water companies, highlighting the impact of water quality on disease spread.
- Scientific Reasoning: Snow’s methodical approach and evidence-based reasoning challenged prevailing theories and laid the groundwork for modern epidemiology and public health practices.
what is the only cholera vaccine approved by the FDA
Vaxchora
Sources of data in epidemiology
o Routinely collected data (census data, vital record, and surveillance data)
o Data collected for other purposes (medical records)
o Epidemiological data
age-adjusted rate
a rate used to make comparisons across groups and over time when groups differ in age structure
Direct Adjusted Rate
used if age-specific death rates in a population to be standardized are known and a suitable standard population is available
Indirect Adjusted Rate
If age-specific death rates of the population for standardization are unknown or unstable, for example, because the rates to be standardized are based on a small population.
Use SMR (Standard Mortality ratio)
comparison groups
to decide if the rate of disease is the result of a suspected risk factor, compare the exposed group with a group of comparable unexposed persons. Provides a picture of how things are or have been.
rate
a statistic used for describing an event, characteristic, or happening. TIME important or a proportion.
crude rate
rate expressed for a TOTAL POPULATION
specific rate
rate for a particular POPULATION SUBGROUP
rate formula
(Number of events/population at risk) X 100,000
morbidity rate
the extent that illness to disease symptoms are present and affecting a population
mortality rate
the number of deaths as a result of a disease or health event