Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the etymological origin of the term 'epidemiology'?
Which of the following best describes the etymological origin of the term 'epidemiology'?
- It is rooted in Latin, with 'epi' meaning 'spread', 'demos' meaning 'community', and 'logy' meaning 'knowledge'.
- A combination of 'epi' meaning 'study of' and 'demos' meaning 'diseases'.
- A blend of 'epi' meaning 'prevention' and 'demos' meaning 'population', combined with 'logy' meaning 'science or research'
- Derived from the Greek words 'epi' meaning 'on, upon, or among' and 'demos' meaning 'the common people', combined with 'logy' meaning 'study of'. (correct)
What is a core focus of epidemiology as a field of study?
What is a core focus of epidemiology as a field of study?
- The development of new treatments for diseases.
- The clinical management of hospital patients with acute illnesses.
- The diagnosis of diseases at an individual patient level.
- The study of the mass phenomena of infectious diseases including their incidence, distribution, and determinants. (correct)
According to the various definitions of epidemiology, what aspect is consistently highlighted?
According to the various definitions of epidemiology, what aspect is consistently highlighted?
- The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events including diseases. (correct)
- The individual patient's experience of illness.
- The biochemical processes of disease at a cellular level.
- The economic impact of illnesses on households.
Which of the following would be considered one of the key objectives of epidemiology?
Which of the following would be considered one of the key objectives of epidemiology?
Which of the following did not contribute early in the field of epidemiology that is specifically mentioned in the text provided?
Which of the following did not contribute early in the field of epidemiology that is specifically mentioned in the text provided?
What is the primary focus in the study of epidemiology?
What is the primary focus in the study of epidemiology?
Which of the following was NOT a proposed objective of epidemiology?
Which of the following was NOT a proposed objective of epidemiology?
Which of the following is NOT considered to be a branch of epidemiology?
Which of the following is NOT considered to be a branch of epidemiology?
What was Hippocrates' primary contribution to the field of epidemiology?
What was Hippocrates' primary contribution to the field of epidemiology?
What did Hippocrates believe was the main cause of sickness in the human body?
What did Hippocrates believe was the main cause of sickness in the human body?
What is the key distinction between 'epidemic' and 'endemic' as defined by Hippocrates?
What is the key distinction between 'epidemic' and 'endemic' as defined by Hippocrates?
Who is credited with initially proposing that diseases are caused by tiny, unseen, living particles?
Who is credited with initially proposing that diseases are caused by tiny, unseen, living particles?
Which physician is credited with the first usage of the term 'epidemiology'?
Which physician is credited with the first usage of the term 'epidemiology'?
What did Hippocrates believe caused sickness in the human body?
What did Hippocrates believe caused sickness in the human body?
Who was the first to propose the importance of personal and environmental hygiene to prevent disease?
Who was the first to propose the importance of personal and environmental hygiene to prevent disease?
What did Anton van Leeuwenhoek's microscope reveal that supported the germ theory of disease?
What did Anton van Leeuwenhoek's microscope reveal that supported the germ theory of disease?
Who is considered the father of modern epidemiology?
Who is considered the father of modern epidemiology?
What substance did John Snow use in his attempt to clean water during the cholera outbreak?
What substance did John Snow use in his attempt to clean water during the cholera outbreak?
Which century did Girolamo Fracastoro first propose that diseases are caused by small, unseen particles?
Which century did Girolamo Fracastoro first propose that diseases are caused by small, unseen particles?
What was a major outcome of the British Doctors Study led by Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill?
What was a major outcome of the British Doctors Study led by Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill?
What did epidemiology evolve to focus on after originally dealing primarily with infectious diseases?
What did epidemiology evolve to focus on after originally dealing primarily with infectious diseases?
Which of the following best describes the work of John Grant?
Which of the following best describes the work of John Grant?
What is the distinction between 'disease' and 'sickness'?
What is the distinction between 'disease' and 'sickness'?
What fundamental aspect is critical when comparing disease rates across different populations?
What fundamental aspect is critical when comparing disease rates across different populations?
Which of these terms describes a disease or injury rate that is consistently present?
Which of these terms describes a disease or injury rate that is consistently present?
Which of the following best describes how 'pattern' is defined when discussing health events in epidemiology?
Which of the following best describes how 'pattern' is defined when discussing health events in epidemiology?
Flashcards
What is epidemiology?
What is epidemiology?
The study of the occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health-related states or events in populations, and the application of this study to control health problems.
What is the meaning of epidemiology based on its etymology?
What is the meaning of epidemiology based on its etymology?
The study of that which falls upon the common people.
What is epidemiology's role in medicine?
What is epidemiology's role in medicine?
The branch of medicine that uses scientific data to study the incidence, distribution, causes, and control of diseases in populations.
Who are some key figures in the history of epidemiology?
Who are some key figures in the history of epidemiology?
Signup and view all the flashcards
How did James Lind and Edward Jenner contribute to epidemiology?
How did James Lind and Edward Jenner contribute to epidemiology?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Epidemic
Epidemic
Signup and view all the flashcards
Disease
Disease
Signup and view all the flashcards
Health
Health
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pattern
Pattern
Signup and view all the flashcards
Morbidity
Morbidity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Epidemiology
Epidemiology
Signup and view all the flashcards
Etiology
Etiology
Signup and view all the flashcards
Disease prevalence
Disease prevalence
Signup and view all the flashcards
Natural history of disease
Natural history of disease
Signup and view all the flashcards
Prognosis of disease
Prognosis of disease
Signup and view all the flashcards
Evaluation of preventive and therapeutic measures
Evaluation of preventive and therapeutic measures
Signup and view all the flashcards
Developing public health policies
Developing public health policies
Signup and view all the flashcards
Infectious disease epidemiology
Infectious disease epidemiology
Signup and view all the flashcards
Humoral Theory of Disease
Humoral Theory of Disease
Signup and view all the flashcards
John Snow and the Cholera Outbreak
John Snow and the Cholera Outbreak
Signup and view all the flashcards
Fracastoro's Contagion Theory
Fracastoro's Contagion Theory
Signup and view all the flashcards
Leeuwenhoek's Microscopic Observations
Leeuwenhoek's Microscopic Observations
Signup and view all the flashcards
Germ Theory of Disease
Germ Theory of Disease
Signup and view all the flashcards
Quantitative methods in epidemiology
Quantitative methods in epidemiology
Signup and view all the flashcards
British Doctors Study and Smoking
British Doctors Study and Smoking
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Course Information
- Course Title: Epidemiology
- Course Code: NSC 301
History of Epidemiology
-
Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, was the first epidemiologist. He examined relationships between disease and environmental factors.
-
Hippocrates linked illness to an imbalance of four humors; air, fire, water, and earth. This led to practices like bloodletting and dieting.
-
Girolamo Fracastoro (16th century) proposed a theory that disease was caused by tiny living organisms that could spread through the air, reproduce, and be destroyed by fire.
-
John Graunt (1662) was the first to use statistical methods to study mortality patterns. He examined patterns of mortality and morbidity and the numbers of inhabitants, their age structure, and rate of population growth.
-
James Lind (1747) conducted a clinical trial to identify effective treatments for scurvy. He observed that citrus fruits could prevent/treat scurvy. This is considered a cornerstone of controlled clinical trials.
-
Edward Jenner (1796) discovered vaccination against smallpox after observing milkmaids who contracted cowpox did not contract smallpox.
-
John Snow (19th century) investigated cholera epidemics and determined that the source was contaminated water.
-
The 1920s saw Winslow and Sedgwick lecturing on epidemiology within the US, while W.H. Frost became the first professor of Epidemiology in the US.
-
The 1940s saw the introduction of the experimental study, regarding the use of Streptomycin to treat Pulmonary TB.
-
The 1950's saw research conducted to identify a relationship between smoking and Lung Cancer.
Definitions of Epidemiology
- Epidemiology is the branch of medical science that studies epidemics.
- Also the study of disease distribution and determinants in populations and their application to the control of health problems.
- Epidemiology can be used to study all diseases, and not just infectious diseases.
Objectives of Epidemiology
- Understanding the cause (etiology) of disease and relevant risk factors
- Determining the extent of a disease in a community
- Studying the natural history (and prognosis) of a disease
- Evaluating preventive and therapeutic measures for a disease.
- Establishing the foundation for public health policies
Branches of Epidemiology
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Chronic disease epidemiology
- Clinical epidemiology
- Serological epidemiology
- Cancer epidemiology
- Genetic epidemiology
- Occupational epidemiology
- Psychosocial epidemiology
Key Terms in Epidemiology
- Health: State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
- Public Health: Organized effort to prevent disease and promote health.
- Illness: Physiological or psychological experience of a person.
- Disease: Medically definable physiological or psychological dysfunction.
- Sickness: Dysfunction in the social role of a person with a disease.
- Mortality: Related to death
- Morbidity: Events and factors associated with disease or disability.
- Frequency: Number/rate of disease occurrences.
- Pattern: Occurrence of health events by time, place, and personal characteristics.
- Time (in context of pattern): Annual, seasonal, or daily occurrences of diseases
- Place (in context of pattern): Geographic variation, urban-rural differences, worksites, schools.
- Personal Characteristics (in context of pattern): Age, race, sex, marital status, socioeconomic status, behaviors, environmental exposures.
- Endemic: Diseases and injuries occurring at a consistent rate
- Epidemic: Disease occurrences in excess of normalcy
- Pandemic: An epidemic affecting multiple countries/continents
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the evolution of epidemiology and its key figures, from Hippocrates to John Graunt and James Lind. This quiz covers historical practices, theories of disease causation, and the beginnings of statistical methods in public health. Test your knowledge on the foundational concepts of epidemiology as outlined in your course.
