Epidemiology in Community Health Assessments

Study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events, diseases, or health-related characteristics among populations
Focuses on identifying risk factors, causes, and consequences of health problems
Methods:
- Surveillance: ongoing monitoring of health events and trends
- Outbreak investigation: rapid response to unexpected health events
- Analytic studies: examine associations between risk factors and health outcomes
Tools:
- Epidemiologic triad: agent, host, and environment
- Web of causation: complex interactions between factors contributing to health outcomes

Examines the impact of environmental factors on human health
Focus areas:
- Air and water quality
- Food safety and security
- Climate change and extreme weather events
- Built environment and urban planning
Methods:
- Exposure assessment: measuring environmental toxins and contaminants
- Risk assessment: evaluating the likelihood of adverse health effects
- Health impact assessment: predicting the health effects of environmental changes

Differences in health outcomes and health care access between populations
Focus areas:
- Socioeconomic status (SES)
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender and sexual orientation
- Geographic location
Methods:
- Health equity analysis: identifying and addressing disparities
- Cultural competence: understanding and addressing diverse health needs
- Health literacy: improving health communication and education

Process of enabling individuals and communities to increase control over their health and improve well-being
Focus areas:
- Healthy behaviors: physical activity, nutrition, stress management
- Health education: empowering individuals to make informed health decisions
- Environmental and policy changes: creating supportive environments for health
Theories:
- Health Belief Model: perceived threats, benefits, and barriers to health behaviors
- Social Cognitive Theory: learning and reinforcement of health behaviors

Process of teaching people about healthy behaviors, wellness, and disease prevention
Focus areas:
- Knowledge acquisition: understanding health information and concepts
- Attitude and behavior change: adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyles
- Skill-building: developing health-related skills and competencies
Methods:
- Adult learning theory: understanding how adults learn and process health information
- Health literacy: improving health communication and education
- Community-based education: partnering with communities to promote health and wellness

Study of distribution and determinants of health-related events, diseases, or health-related characteristics among populations
Focuses on identifying risk factors, causes, and consequences of health problems
Methods include surveillance, outbreak investigation, and analytic studies
Tools: epidemiologic triad (agent, host, and environment) and web of causation (complex interactions between factors contributing to health outcomes)

Examines impact of environmental factors on human health
Focus areas include air and water quality, food safety and security, climate change, and built environment and urban planning
Methods include exposure assessment, risk assessment, and health impact assessment

Differences in health outcomes and health care access between populations
Focus areas include socioeconomic status (SES), race and ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, and geographic location
Methods include health equity analysis, cultural competence, and health literacy

Process of enabling individuals and communities to increase control over their health and improve well-being
Focus areas include healthy behaviors, health education, and environmental and policy changes
Theories include Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory

Process of teaching people about healthy behaviors, wellness, and disease prevention
Focus areas include knowledge acquisition, attitude and behavior change, and skill-building
Methods include adult learning theory, health literacy, and community-based education