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Epidemiology is defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.
Epidemiology is defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.
True
Descriptive epidemiology focuses on finding causes of diseases through hypothesis testing.
Descriptive epidemiology focuses on finding causes of diseases through hypothesis testing.
False
Analytical epidemiology uses hypothesis testing to find the causes of diseases.
Analytical epidemiology uses hypothesis testing to find the causes of diseases.
True
The Global Burden of Disease study measures health outcomes solely based on mortality rates.
The Global Burden of Disease study measures health outcomes solely based on mortality rates.
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Epidemiology can be applied to control health problems.
Epidemiology can be applied to control health problems.
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The three main features considered in descriptive epidemiology are person, place, and feeling.
The three main features considered in descriptive epidemiology are person, place, and feeling.
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Morbidity refers to the state of being diseased or unhealthy.
Morbidity refers to the state of being diseased or unhealthy.
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A major goal of epidemiology is to explain global differences in health outcomes.
A major goal of epidemiology is to explain global differences in health outcomes.
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Random variation can lead to differences over time.
Random variation can lead to differences over time.
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Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) is useful for comparing populations with different age and sex compositions.
Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) is useful for comparing populations with different age and sex compositions.
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Descriptive epidemiology focuses on the distribution of health issues.
Descriptive epidemiology focuses on the distribution of health issues.
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Systematic error and bias can lead to artefacts in data collection.
Systematic error and bias can lead to artefacts in data collection.
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Sensitivity of a surveillance system remains constant over time.
Sensitivity of a surveillance system remains constant over time.
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Mortality rates are a measure of disease frequency.
Mortality rates are a measure of disease frequency.
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True differences in disease frequency are a result of artefact or chance.
True differences in disease frequency are a result of artefact or chance.
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Epidemiologists consider the 'how many' aspect when looking at disease magnitude.
Epidemiologists consider the 'how many' aspect when looking at disease magnitude.
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Analytical epidemiological studies measure the association between possible causes and disease.
Analytical epidemiological studies measure the association between possible causes and disease.
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Descriptive epidemiology does not consider the time aspect of disease occurrence.
Descriptive epidemiology does not consider the time aspect of disease occurrence.
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Person, place, and time are the three main features of epidemiology.
Person, place, and time are the three main features of epidemiology.
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The Y-axis in graphical representations of disease occurrence typically represents time.
The Y-axis in graphical representations of disease occurrence typically represents time.
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An epidemic is characterized by a normal increase in incidence.
An epidemic is characterized by a normal increase in incidence.
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Urban and rural environments can influence the spread of diseases due to environmental exposures.
Urban and rural environments can influence the spread of diseases due to environmental exposures.
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Seasonality refers to sporadic and unrelated cases of diseases.
Seasonality refers to sporadic and unrelated cases of diseases.
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Secular trends indicate long-term changes in disease incidence over years or decades.
Secular trends indicate long-term changes in disease incidence over years or decades.
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Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) is effective for comparing populations with similar age and sex compositions.
Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) is effective for comparing populations with similar age and sex compositions.
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Descriptive epidemiology examines how many cases of a health issue occur over time.
Descriptive epidemiology examines how many cases of a health issue occur over time.
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Artefacts in data collection are always due to random variability.
Artefacts in data collection are always due to random variability.
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The sensitivity and specificity of surveillance systems do not change over time.
The sensitivity and specificity of surveillance systems do not change over time.
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Changes in public perception regarding disease importance can affect reporting and diagnosis.
Changes in public perception regarding disease importance can affect reporting and diagnosis.
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True differences in disease frequency are measured solely through random variability.
True differences in disease frequency are measured solely through random variability.
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Epidemiologists assess the 'when' aspect of disease occurrence when determining magnitude.
Epidemiologists assess the 'when' aspect of disease occurrence when determining magnitude.
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Statistical methods in epidemiology are primarily used to confirm findings rather than measure chance.
Statistical methods in epidemiology are primarily used to confirm findings rather than measure chance.
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Descriptive epidemiology focuses on identifying the causes of diseases rather than their distribution.
Descriptive epidemiology focuses on identifying the causes of diseases rather than their distribution.
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Analytical epidemiology primarily seeks to establish comparison groups and test hypotheses.
Analytical epidemiology primarily seeks to establish comparison groups and test hypotheses.
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Morbidity measures the state of being deceased or dead.
Morbidity measures the state of being deceased or dead.
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The study of the Global Burden of Disease focuses solely on analyzing morbidity rates in populations.
The study of the Global Burden of Disease focuses solely on analyzing morbidity rates in populations.
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Epidemiology employs both descriptive and analytical methods to address health-related issues.
Epidemiology employs both descriptive and analytical methods to address health-related issues.
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The features of person, place, and time in epidemiology are essential for understanding disease patterns.
The features of person, place, and time in epidemiology are essential for understanding disease patterns.
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Epidemiologists only consider the actual number of cases and not the factors influencing disease occurrence.
Epidemiologists only consider the actual number of cases and not the factors influencing disease occurrence.
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A major objective of epidemiology is to provide insights into global health disparities.
A major objective of epidemiology is to provide insights into global health disparities.
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Descriptive epidemiology assesses the health issue primarily based on the temporal dimension.
Descriptive epidemiology assesses the health issue primarily based on the temporal dimension.
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The magnitude of occurrence refers to the frequency and distribution of diseases within a population.
The magnitude of occurrence refers to the frequency and distribution of diseases within a population.
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Epidemic conditions are characterized by a normal increase in incidence.
Epidemic conditions are characterized by a normal increase in incidence.
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Cyclic trends in disease occurrence refer to changes that follow a regular pattern over time.
Cyclic trends in disease occurrence refer to changes that follow a regular pattern over time.
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Factors such as ethnicity and age are crucial when describing the person aspect in epidemiological studies.
Factors such as ethnicity and age are crucial when describing the person aspect in epidemiological studies.
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The X-axis in graphical representations of disease cases typically denotes the number of cases.
The X-axis in graphical representations of disease cases typically denotes the number of cases.
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Seasonality relates to trends that are random and unrelated to any specific timeframe.
Seasonality relates to trends that are random and unrelated to any specific timeframe.
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Environmental exposure factors such as climate play a significant role in epidemiological studies of disease distribution.
Environmental exposure factors such as climate play a significant role in epidemiological studies of disease distribution.
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Descriptive epidemiology does not take into account the characteristics of persons affected by diseases.
Descriptive epidemiology does not take into account the characteristics of persons affected by diseases.
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Epidemiological studies can categorize diseases as sporadic, epidemic, and cyclic based on the pattern of their occurrence.
Epidemiological studies can categorize diseases as sporadic, epidemic, and cyclic based on the pattern of their occurrence.
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Time in epidemiology refers only to the specific date on which cases are reported.
Time in epidemiology refers only to the specific date on which cases are reported.
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Crude Mortality Rates can be used effectively to compare populations with differing age compositions.
Crude Mortality Rates can be used effectively to compare populations with differing age compositions.
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The Y-axis in a graphical representation of disease occurrence typically represents the frequency of cases.
The Y-axis in a graphical representation of disease occurrence typically represents the frequency of cases.
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An epidemic is characterized by a sporadic increase in disease incidence.
An epidemic is characterized by a sporadic increase in disease incidence.
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Statistical methods in epidemiology assess the likelihood that observed differences are due to random variability.
Statistical methods in epidemiology assess the likelihood that observed differences are due to random variability.
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Cyclic trends in disease occurrence refer to sporadic and unrelated cases without a fixed period.
Cyclic trends in disease occurrence refer to sporadic and unrelated cases without a fixed period.
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Descriptive epidemiology is primarily concerned with why diseases occur in populations.
Descriptive epidemiology is primarily concerned with why diseases occur in populations.
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The three main features of descriptive epidemiology do not include changes over time.
The three main features of descriptive epidemiology do not include changes over time.
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Environmental and climate factors can significantly influence disease distribution in epidemiological studies.
Environmental and climate factors can significantly influence disease distribution in epidemiological studies.
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Descriptive epidemiology focuses primarily on the 'how many' aspect of health issues without considering when or where.
Descriptive epidemiology focuses primarily on the 'how many' aspect of health issues without considering when or where.
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Changes in the sensitivity of a surveillance system can affect the reported incidence of diseases.
Changes in the sensitivity of a surveillance system can affect the reported incidence of diseases.
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Random variation is solely responsible for true differences in disease incidence.
Random variation is solely responsible for true differences in disease incidence.
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Artefact in data collection refers to the true representation of the data.
Artefact in data collection refers to the true representation of the data.
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Epidemiologists consider the 'how many' aspect when evaluating the magnitude of disease occurrence.
Epidemiologists consider the 'how many' aspect when evaluating the magnitude of disease occurrence.
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Descriptive epidemiology primarily focuses on the underlying causes of diseases rather than their distribution.
Descriptive epidemiology primarily focuses on the underlying causes of diseases rather than their distribution.
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Analytical epidemiology utilizes hypothesis testing to compare different groups in order to ascertain the causes of diseases.
Analytical epidemiology utilizes hypothesis testing to compare different groups in order to ascertain the causes of diseases.
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The Global Burden of Disease study considers both morbidity and mortality rates to assess health outcomes.
The Global Burden of Disease study considers both morbidity and mortality rates to assess health outcomes.
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Epidemiologists assess the 'how many' aspect when determining the trend of disease incidence over long periods.
Epidemiologists assess the 'how many' aspect when determining the trend of disease incidence over long periods.
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Seasonality in epidemiology is defined by consistent and periodic increases in disease incidence related to specific timeframes.
Seasonality in epidemiology is defined by consistent and periodic increases in disease incidence related to specific timeframes.
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Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) is more useful for comparing populations with varying age and sex compositions than with similar demographics.
Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) is more useful for comparing populations with varying age and sex compositions than with similar demographics.
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The term 'morbidity' is synonymous with the state of being alive and healthy.
The term 'morbidity' is synonymous with the state of being alive and healthy.
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Cyclic trends in disease occurrence typically signify irregular and random fluctuations over time.
Cyclic trends in disease occurrence typically signify irregular and random fluctuations over time.
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Study Notes
Epidemiology: The Cornerstone of Public Health
- Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and its application to control health problems.
- Learning objectives include explaining the use of epidemiology to measure population health, applying epidemiological methods in practice, comparing morbidity and mortality using the Global Burden of Disease study, and explaining global differences in health outcomes.
- Epidemiology is a core concept in public health.
Population Health Framework
- The framework encompasses health policy, health systems, health promotion, disease prevention, sustainability, and equity, with evidence, epidemiology and health protection as key determinants.
- This framework organizes elements of population health.
Epidemiological Methods I: Descriptive Epidemiology
- Descriptive epidemiology describes the distribution of a disease.
- Key elements include: magnitude of occurrence, and specific features relating to:
- Person (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity)
- Place (e.g., geographic location, urban/rural)
- Time (e.g., time period, trends in disease)
- What? = health issue, Who? = person, Where? =place, When? = time, How many? = magnitude of occurrence are key questions.
Epidemiological Methods II: Analytical Epidemiology
- Analytical epidemiology finds out the causes of a disease.
- It uses hypothesis testing to determine relationships between a disease and possible cause.
- Key features involve a comparison group and different study designs affecting the strength of the design.
- It is used to determine disease causes.
Magnitude of Occurrence
- The magnitude of occurrence includes disease frequency and mortality rates.
Mortality Rates
- Crude mortality rates (CMR) are calculated as the number of deaths during a specific period divided by the number of persons at risk of dying during that same period.
- CMRs cannot directly compare populations with different age and sex compositions because the chance of dying differs by those factors.
- Standardized mortality rates (adjusted rates) are used to compare mortality rates between populations reflecting different demographics of age and sex.
Specific Mortality Rates
- Age-specific rates and cause-specific rates are types of more detailed mortality rates analyzing specific populations.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
- Infant mortality rate (IMR) measures overall health status in a community.
- IMR is calculated as the number of deaths in children under 1 year of age during a period divided by the number of live births during the same period multiplied by 1000.
- IMR is sensitive to socioeconomic changes and to health care interventions.
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
- Maternal mortality rate (MMR) measures the rate of mothers dying from pregnancy or childbirth complications.
- Calculated by dividing the total number of maternal deaths by the number of live births in a given year.
- Global MMR has decreased by 44% since 1990 to 2015 due to improvements in healthcare.
Study Designs
- Study designs to investigate relationships between health factors and diseases includes observational (cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case-control studies) and experimental (randomized control trials, non-randomized intervention studies) approaches. These designs differ by timeline for collection of data.
Historic Examples
- John Snow's cholera studies in 1854 are a model for cross-sectional studies, demonstrating the association between water pump and outbreak locations.
- Doll and Hill's study (1950) on lung cancer and smoking is a classic case-control study establishing smoking as a risk factor.
Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
- The GBD study is a comprehensive, worldwide observational epidemiology study.
- It describes mortality and morbidity from various major diseases, injuries, and risk factors by major health levels (global, national, and regional).
- The GBD illustrates trends in health from 1990 to the present.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)
- DALYs are a measure combining years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD).
- A valuable measure of the effects of health conditions in a population.
Exploring GBD Data
- GBD data offers insights into health conditions across populations using tools like interactive data visualization provided by The Lancet.
- Exploring GBD data to compare DALYs across low and high-income countries.
Health Outcomes and Dependency
- Health outcomes depend on factors such as biology, genetics, public policy, healthcare, lifestyle, and social/environmental conditions.
Presentation Conclusion
- Discussion forum and contact information are given for questions or further information.
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Description
This quiz explores key concepts of epidemiology as the foundation of public health. It covers the methods of measuring population health, understanding morbidity and mortality, and the principles of the population health framework. Test your knowledge on how epidemiology applies to health policy and systems.
