Key Concepts in Public Health and Epidemiology

These flashcards cover key concepts in public health, epidemiology, and health legislation, derived from the student's lecture notes.

What is an example of a non-modifiable risk factor?

Age.

What does RR = 14 indicate?

There is a positive association between factors.

What type of prevention is a vaccine primarily considered?

A tool of primary prevention.

What does RR = 1 imply about the association between factors?

There is NO association between factors.

What does RR = 0.7 suggest about the relationship between factors?

There is a negative association between factors.

What characterizes hospital trusts in Italy?

They have economic and financial autonomy, are hospitals of national importance and high specialization, and are identified by the Italian regions.

What is the Bismarck health system model?

It is a compulsory social insurance scheme based on membership in various occupational categories.

In which document was health recognized for the first time as a fundamental right in Italy?

Article 32 of the Italian Constitution.

What conclusion can be drawn if the main result of a study is OR = -1?

It’s not possible to have OR = -1.

Which disease is classified as airborne?

Measles.

When is a patient with HIV considered non-infectious?

When the virus in the blood is undetectable.

What is the trend in HIV prevalence due to antiretroviral treatment?

Reducing because of antiretroviral treatment and preventive measures.

What is the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic?

A pandemic is the presence of a disease in multiple regions or continents; an epidemic is an unusual occurrence in a specific area.

What type of radiation are alpha and beta radiations?

Ionizing radiations.

If RR = 4 (95% CI: 0.99 – 14), what can be concluded?

There is NO statistically significant association between factors.

What is an example of secondary prevention?

A screening campaign.

What does 'endemic' mean in public health?

The constant presence of a disease in a population.

When is a patient with tuberculosis no longer infective?

After 2 weeks of proper treatment.

What is the John Snow rainbow associated with?

The impact of social determinants of health.

What is the entry and multiplication of an infectious agent in the host called?

An infection.

What are LEAs in the context of healthcare in Italy?

Essential Levels of Care that must be demonstrated by scientific evidence.

What does OECD data suggest about health expenditure for prevention?

Always < 5% (and even less than 3%).

When was the Italian Ministry of Health established?

1990.

How are odds ratios (ORs) calculated?

In case-control studies.

What does a value of OR or RR greater than 1 indicate?

This factor increases the risk to develop the disease.

What is included in the prevention of road accidents?

All of the previous answers are correct.

What characterizes a screening test?

It should be safe, easy to perform, and not expensive.

What health system model is practiced in Italy?

The Beveridge model.

What is a COVID contact defined as?

15 minutes with an infective patient.

What defines an epidemic?

An unusual occurrence of a disease in a population during a period.

Which among the following is NOT a risk factor for non-communicable disease?

Poor hand hygiene.

What does the demographic transition model take into account?

Birth rate and death rate.

What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?

Incidence is the number of new cases in a period; prevalence is the total number of cases at a specific moment.

What is considered a protective factor in health studies?

A factor that results in a lower risk of disease.

A patient with TB is considered no longer infective after how long?

After 2 weeks of treatment.

What is herd immunity?

Collective protection resulting from reduced circulation of infection in the vaccinated population.

What is the implication of a statistically significant p-value?

It indicates strong evidence against the null hypothesis.

What should we aim for to protect unvaccinated individuals?

Achieving herd immunity threshold.