Epidemiology Fundamentals Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes a health-related event?

Access to health services

A case of drug abuse (correct)

The use of seatbelts

Physical activity levels

What is the primary role of epidemiology in public health?

To assess community health, formulate policy, and ensure access to care. (correct)

To only research new pharmaceutical interventions.

To solely focus on the diagnosis of individual diseases.

To provide direct medical treatment to individuals.

Which of these is NOT a step in the scientific method as used in epidemiology?

Formulating a hypothesis

Implementing policy changes (correct)

Interpreting findings

Identifying a health problem

What type of study design is primarily used to answer questions about 'Why' and 'How' related to health events?

Analytic epidemiology Signup and view all the answers

Characterizing the distribution of health-related states or events by 'person, place, time, and clinical criteria', is an example of:

Descriptive epidemiology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the focus of public health?

Promoting health and extending life at a population level. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term population refer to in the context of epidemiology?

A group of people who share one or more observable characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a dimension of health?

Physical fitness and activities of daily living. Signup and view all the answers

According to the context, which of these subfields is the foundation of public health?

Epidemiology Signup and view all the answers

What is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in human populations known as?

Epidemiology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an environmental factor that influences health?

Workplace conditions or geographical location. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of applying the study of epidemiology?

To prevent and control health problems. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the social dimension of health?

Ability to have satisfying relationships and interact well with society. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of analytic epidemiology?

Identifying and quantifying associations, testing hypotheses, supporting statements about causality Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is NOT typically performed in epidemiology?

Describing the stock market fluctuations Signup and view all the answers

What does 'efficacy' in program evaluation specifically refer to?

The ability of a program to produce a desired effect among those who participate in the program compared with those who do not Signup and view all the answers

Which question would epidemiology be LEAST suited to answer directly?

What is the capital of France? Signup and view all the answers

What does effectiveness refer to in the evaluation of a program?

The ability of a program to produce benefits among those who are offered the program Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of public health assessment?

Understanding the causes and patterns of disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of monitoring diseases and health-related events over time?

Identifying potential health crises and allocating resources appropriately Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided information, what is NOT a typical use of epidemiologic data?

Predicting the next sports champion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course: PHAR 658 - Foundations of Epidemiology I
Chapter: Merrill Chapter 1
Date: January 14, 2025
Instructor: Preeti Pushpalata Zanwar, PhD, MPH, MS

Objectives

Define epidemiology and understand the foundational vocabulary
Define descriptive and analytic epidemiology
Identify key activities performed in epidemiology
Explain the role of epidemiology in public health practice and decision-making

What is Health?

The absence of illness
Six dimensions of health

Six Dimensions of Health

Physical: Ability of the body to function properly, including physical fitness and daily activities
Social: Ability to form satisfying relationships, interact with social institutions, and understand societal norms
Mental: Ability to think clearly, reason objectively, and act appropriately
Emotional: Ability to cope, adapt, and adjust; self-efficacy and self-esteem
Spiritual: Feeling as part of a greater spectrum of existence; personal beliefs and choices
Environmental: External factors (surroundings, occupation) and internal factors (genetics)

What is Public Health?

Public health is the science and art of promoting health and extending life for the population
Public health focuses on threats to health within a population (group sharing characteristics)
The mission of public health is to ensure conditions that promote all six dimensions of health in the general population

What is a Population?

A grouping of individuals sharing one or more observable or observed characteristics
Data can be collected and evaluated from populations with shared attributes
Examples of population characteristics include social, economic, family (marriage/divorce), work/labor force, and geographic factors

Public Health and Epidemiology

Epidemiology is a central element of public health, viewed as its foundation due to its significant role
Other important considerations within public health include biostatistics and health services

What is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in human populations
Epidemiology involves the application of the study to help prevent and manage health issues

Key Terms in Epidemiology

Health-related states or events: Diseases (like cholera, influenza, pneumonia), mental illness, and conditions like physical activity, nutrition, environmental exposures, seat belt use, and health services provision/usage
Events: Injury, drug abuse, and suicide

Why is Epidemiology the Foundation of Public Health?

Epidemiology is central to the three main public health roles (functions):
1. Assessing and monitoring communities and populations at risk for identifying health problems and priorities
2. Developing public policies to address local/national health issues and priorities
3. Ensuring all populations have access to appropriate and cost-effective care that includes health promotion, disease prevention, and evaluation

Epidemiology and the Scientific Method

Epidemiology utilizes the scientific method to describe and analyze health-related states or events

Scientific Method Components

Appropriate study designs
Statistical techniques for investigation and knowledge acquisition
Identifying the health problem
Developing hypotheses
Statistical analysis
Interpretation
Dissemination of information

Study Designs in Epidemiology

Descriptive epidemiology: Investigates who, what, when, and where via study designs
Analytic epidemiology: Explores why and how via study designs

Importance of Descriptive Epidemiology

Characterizes the distribution of health-related events and states
Examines events based on person, place, time, and clinical criteria

Importance of Analytic Epidemiology

Identifies and quantifies associations
Tests hypotheses and supports causal statements
Explains why and how health-related events occur

Selected Activities in Epidemiology

Identifying risk factors for disease, injury, and death
Describing the natural history of diseases
Identifying those at highest risk of disease
Identifying the greatest points of public health concern
Monitoring health-related events over time
Evaluating prevention and treatment programs' efficacy and effectiveness
Providing information for health planning and decision-making
Assisting in public health programs
Acting as a resource person
Communicating public health information

Selected Types of Epidemiologic Information

Public health assessment
Causes of disease
Completing the clinical picture, or understanding the full scope of a condition
Program evaluation, including efficacy (the ability to achieve a desired effect in those who participate in a program versus those who don't) and effectiveness (the ability to produce benefits in individuals who are offered the program)

Questions that Need Epidemiology

Diagnosis: Myalgic encephalitis, prostate-specific antigen as a cancer test
Causes: Stroke causes, obesity/metabolic syndrome
Treatment: Best treatment options for specific conditions, surgical effectiveness
Prognosis: Recurrence of heart attack/disease, prosthesis longevity
Health Promotion & Protection: Harm of current school meals, effectiveness of public smoking bans
Health and Disease Surveillance: International differences in suicide rates, future pandemics
Health Inequalities: Why disparities in life expectancy exist between workers, effect of health services on health inequalities

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity (US Adults) via Map Data (2011, 2017)

This is visual/map data providing regional trends in self-reported obesity in US adults from 2011 to 2017. Detailed values are visual, not in a text format.

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Description

Test your knowledge of epidemiology and its significance in public health with this quiz. Explore the concepts of health-related events, study designs, and the scientific method used in epidemiology. Perfect for students or anyone interested in public health.