Introduction to Epidemiology (EPI 213)
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Questions and Answers

Epidemiology solely focuses on the treatment of diseases.

False (B)

The final exam accounts for 50% of the total assessment score in the course.

True (A)

Epidemiologists only investigate communicable diseases.

False (B)

The steps in investigation of disease outbreaks are a key focus of epidemiology.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Participation in the course is evaluated as part of the assessment activities.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiologists do not study the factors affecting susceptibility to diseases.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The introduction to epidemiology course includes learning about both descriptive and analytical study designs.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiologists develop interventions solely based on historical data.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiology is primarily concerned with the study of individual health rather than populations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

John Snow's study of cholera in London in 1854 was instrumental in understanding the role of contaminated water in disease spread.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Richard Doll is known for investigating the correlation between diet and heart disease.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiologists only work in hospitals and do not operate in other fields such as research or government.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiology can help plan and allocate resources for healthcare effectively.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiologists track the spread of diseases by collecting data on the number of cases and their locations.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Interventions evaluated by epidemiologists include vaccination programs and new medications.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The study of epidemiology originated in the 20th century.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epidemiologists can make predictions about future health trends based on their research.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'epidemiology' is derived from Latin words meaning 'upon people'.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases spread and how to prevent them. It investigates disease transmission, influencing factors like age, sex, and health status, and develops interventions to curb disease spread.

Measures of Disease Frequency

Measures used to describe the frequency of disease in a population. Examples include incidence and prevalence.

Incidence

The rate at which new cases of a disease occur in a population during a specific period. It reflects the risk of developing the disease.

Prevalence

The proportion of a population that has a particular disease at a specific point in time. It indicates the overall burden of the disease.

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Disease Outbreak Investigation

The process of systematically investigating disease outbreaks to identify the cause, mode of transmission, and risk factors. It involves steps like defining the problem, collecting data, and developing recommendations.

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Descriptive Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations. It aims to understand the patterns and causes of health outcomes.

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Analytical Epidemiology

The study of factors that influence disease occurrence. It explores the associations between exposures and outcomes to identify risk factors and protective factors.

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Experimental Epidemiology

A type of study that manipulates exposures to assess the impact on outcomes. It involves controlled experimental groups to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

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What is epidemiology?

The study of how diseases spread and what factors contribute to their occurrence in populations.

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What is a key historical example of epidemiology in action?

John Snow's study on cholera in London, which showed it was spread through contaminated water, is considered a cornerstone in the history of epidemiology.

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Who is an epidemiologist?

Someone who is trained to study the distribution and determinants of diseases in populations.

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How does epidemiology help in disease prevention?

Epidemiology helps in identifying the causes of diseases, which is crucial for developing strategies to prevent them.

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What role does epidemiology play in assessing the impact of public health interventions?

Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions like vaccination programs or new treatments relies heavily on epidemiological data.

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How is epidemiology used to control outbreaks?

Epidemiologists use data to track the spread of infectious diseases, helping to identify outbreaks and control their spread.

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How does epidemiology influence public health policy?

Epidemiology informs public health programs and policies by providing evidence about health needs and the effectiveness of interventions.

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What is a key role of epidemiology in public health agencies?

Public health agencies rely on epidemiologists to monitor disease trends and implement interventions to prevent and control diseases.

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How does epidemiology influence clinical medicine?

Epidemiology helps doctors understand the causes of diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, contributing to better patient care.

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How does epidemiology contribute to research?

Epidemiologists in research settings contribute to developing new interventions, evaluating their effectiveness, and advancing our understanding of diseases.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Epidemiology (EPI 213)

  • Epidemiology studies disease spread and prevention.
  • It examines disease transmission (person-to-person, animal-to-person, environmental).
  • It also analyzes susceptibility factors (age, sex, health).
  • It develops interventions like vaccinations, public health education & environmental changes.

Course Objectives

  • Understand epidemiological principles and concepts.
  • Define, apply & use disease frequency measures (prevalence, incidence).
  • Use steps in disease outbreak investigations.
  • Understand different study designs.
  • Explain disease transmission.
  • Learn epidemiological indicators for disease monitoring.
  • Apply descriptive, analytical & experimental study methods. (health care service improvement)

Assessment

  • Quiz (Week 5): 10%
  • Midterm Exam (Week 7): 25%
  • Presentation/Assignment (Week 9): 10%
  • Final Exam (As scheduled): 50%
  • Participation (Throughout): 5%

What is Epidemiology?

  • Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and determinants within populations.
  • It's derived from Greek words "epi" (upon) and "demos" (people).
  • It's a crucial public health tool understanding health and disease factors, prevention.

Epidemiologist Roles

  • Public health professionals studying health and disease in populations.
  • Developing and evaluating health improvement strategies.
  • Working in various settings (public health, hospitals, universities).

History of Epidemiology

  • John Snow (1854): Showed cholera spread through contaminated water.
  • Richard Doll (1950s): Linked smoking and lung cancer.

Importance of Epidemiology

  • Identify disease causes
  • Evaluate public health interventions
  • Monitor population health
  • Plan & allocate healthcare resources
  • Inform public health policies.

Uses of Epidemiology

  • Identify risk factors: Study disease distribution for risk factor identification (lifestyle/environmental).
  • Evaluate interventions: Assess program/treatment effectiveness.
  • Track disease spread: Monitor case numbers and locations for disease tracking.
  • Plan/evaluate public health programs: Using knowledge to plan/evaluate programs (sanitation, healthy lifestyles).
  • Predict health trends: Forecasting future disease occurrences or policy impact.

Areas/Fields of Epidemiology

  • Public health: Prevention & control in agencies.
  • Clinical medicine: Assisting diagnosis/treatment in hospitals/clinics.
  • Research: Conducting studies on disease causes/interventions.
  • Government: Developing policies for health improvements.
  • Industry: Assessing drug/device safety/effectiveness.
  • Non-profit organizations: Improving health via programs/advocacy.

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Description

This quiz covers fundamental concepts in epidemiology, including disease transmission, susceptibility factors, and public health interventions. Students will explore disease frequency measures, outbreak investigations, and various study designs to better understand disease monitoring. Assess your knowledge of epidemiological principles through this quiz.

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