2.3 Public Health and Disease Epidemiology

The number of new cases of a disease reported during a specific period (typically a year).

The proportion of a population affected by a disease at a specific point in time.

The increased rate of disease among individuals exposed to a specific risk factor compared to those not exposed.

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease. They can be genetic or lifestyle-related.

The study of disease in populations. It analyzes how diseases spread, their causes, and prevention strategies.

A change in the frequency of a disease in a population.

Genetic variants can influence an individual's susceptibility to diseases.

Lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, can significantly impact disease risk.

Traits influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.

Multiple genes contribute to a trait, resulting in a wider range of possibilities.

The likelihood of a trait appearing in offspring.

The point at which a genetic predisposition leads to a disease.

Identical twins formed when a single fertilized egg splits.

Twins formed from two separate fertilized eggs.

Both twins share a specific trait.

Twins do not share a specific trait.

Studies comparing identical and fraternal twins to understand genetic and environmental influences.

Children adopted by parents without a specific disease are studied.

The tendency for a disease to occur more often in close relatives.

The observation of a disease occurring more frequently than expected by chance.

A higher recurrence risk when more family members are affected by a multifactorial disease.

Recurrence risk is higher when the expression of a disease is more severe.

Recurrence risk decreases rapidly in more distant relatives for multifactorial diseases.

A condition characterized by a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25.

A condition characterized by a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30, indicating excess body fat.

A progressive brain disease characterized by dementia and memory loss. It also includes the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.

A condition characterized by excessive alcohol consumption, leading to significant problems in various aspects of life.

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

The chance of developing heart disease is significantly higher for individuals with a family history of the condition.

A severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and social withdrawal.

Factors like obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease increase the risk of developing heart disease.

A mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from periods of mania (high energy) to depression.

Exercise and a diet low in saturated fats can decrease the risk of developing heart disease, even for individuals with a family history.

A study design where researchers observe individuals with a specific condition and compare them to a control group without the condition. In this way, they can examine the impact of genetic factors on different traits.

A study design where researchers follow a group of individuals over time to observe the development of a specific condition. This helps understand how genetic and environmental factors influence the onset of the disease.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects 25-30% of the population globally and is a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Genetics contributes to 20-40% of the variation in blood pressure, indicating that environmental factors are also crucial.

The likelihood that individuals with a specific genetic predisposition will also develop the associated condition.

Cancer, the second leading cause of death in the US, is often clustered within families due to shared genetic and environmental factors.

The degree to which biological relatives share traits.

Tobacco use is a major contributor to cancer, accounting for about one-third of all cancer cases in the US.

Breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, shows a strong family correlation. Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer doubles the risk, and the risk is further heightened if the relative developed the condition at a young age or with bilateral cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an autosomal dominant form of breast cancer, accounting for 5-10% of cases in the US. Inheriting a mutation in these genes significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

The tendency for complex disorders to manifest earlier in life and be more severe in individuals with inherited genetic predisposition.

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, is characterized by the immune system attacking pancreatic cells. The risk is significantly increased if a close relative has the condition.

The phenomenon where individuals with a family history of a disease are more likely to develop the disease early in life.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and accounts for 90% of all diabetes cases. While genetics plays a role, it is often influenced by lifestyle factors such as obesity and diet.

Obesity increases insulin resistance, raising the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Exercise can significantly lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even with a family history, as it improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.

Obesity is defined as having a BMI greater than 30.

Identical twins, despite sharing the same genes, don't always develop the same diseases, indicating that environment plays a significant role in disease development.