MAPAS POP 111 Exam - Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for MAPAS POPHLTH111 exam review.

Disease frequency/occurrence

How much the disease occurs within a given population.

Numerator

The number of people with the disease in a given population.

Denominator

Total number of people within a given population.

Epidemiology equation

The equation E = N/D/T, where E is epidemiology, N is Numerator, D is Denominator, and T is Time.

Longitudinal Study

A study that follows a population over a period of time (Downward arrow)

Cross-sectional study

A study that examines a population at a single point in time (Horizontal arrow)

EGO (Exposure Group Occurrence)

Occurrence of disease in the exposure group; calculated as a/EG, where 'a' is the numerator and 'EG' is the denominator for the exposure group.

CGO (Comparison Group Occurrence)

Occurrence of disease in the comparison group; calculated as b/CG, where 'b' is the numerator and 'CG' is the denominator for the comparison group.

Incidence

Occurrence of disease over a period of time; involves counting the number of new disease events. Used with easily observable events. A "clean-measure" E.g. car crash, death, hospitalization

Prevalence

Occurrence of disease at one point in time; involves counting the number of people with the disease. E.g. obesity, diabetes. Has less information than incidence.

Cross-Sectional Study

Measures prevalence of exposure and/or outcomes at one point in time. Used to describe, compare, generate hypotheses, and plan. Less expensive & quicker than most studies. Cannot show causation.

Ecological Study

Also known as a correlational study, examines data across GROUPS not individuals. Used to compare between populations and assess population-level factors. Cannot control for confounding.

Cohort Study

Individuals are defined based on the presence or absence of exposure to a suspected risk factor and followed over time to observe outcomes. Can calculate incidence and relative risk. Time-consuming and can be expensive.

Double Blind RCT

A study where the control group receives a placebo, and the exposure group receives the real exposure; neither participants nor investigators know who receives what.

Relative Risk (RR)

Calculated as EGO ÷ CGO (exposure group occurrence divided by comparison group occurrence). Unit = none

Risk Difference (RD)

Calculated as EGO - CGO (exposure group occurrence minus comparison group occurrence). Includes Time. Unit = per year e.g. -10/100 people/5 years. Better than RR because RD tells you how much the risk has changed in absolute terms

RAMBOMAN

Framework to assess non-random error (bias) in studies: Recruitment, Allocation, Maintenance, Blind, Objective, Measurement, Analyses.

Regression to the mean

The phenomenon that if a measurement is repeated, it will be closer to the mean. In large studies with multiple measurements, most results won’t be extreme.

95% Confidence Interval

Describes the range that would most likely have the true population value. A narrower interval suggests higher precision; a wider one suggests more uncertainty.

No effect line

The value shows no difference or no effect between two things you're comparing. It is 0 if you're measuring differences (like difference in blood pressure) and 1 if you're measuring ratios (like risk ratios or odds ratios)

Meta-analysis

Researchers combine the results of multiple similar studies to get one overall answer; Increases confidence, provides more accurate results, and avoids bias.

Association

A connection between 2 variables, but it isn't necessarily causal.

Causation

Means one variable directly causes a change in another.

Bradford Hill Criteria

A framework that is used to determine causality. Temporality is the most important component.

Epidemiological Triad

Agent, Host, Environment.

Component cause

A slice in a causal pie that contributes towards disease causation but is not sufficient on its own.

Necessary cause

A component cause that must be present for a specific disease to occur.

Downstream

Micro, proximal. Directly related E.g. lifestyle, behaviour.

Upstream

Macro, distal. National, legal, political, cultural (how to prevent).

Agency

The capacity of an individual to act independently and make free choices.

Structure

Social and physical environmental conditions/patterns (social determinants) that influence choices and opportunities available.

Health System

All activities whose primary purpose is to promote, restore or maintain health.

Gaming

Manipulating whether or not the target is met.

SEP (Socio-Economic Position)

The social and economic factors that influence what positions individuals or groups hold within the structure of a society.

NZDep

A measure of deprivation in New Zealand.

Preston Curve

A graph showing the relationship between life expectancy and GDP.

Equality

Being equal - Life opportunities (jobs, chance to do physical activity), access to resources, rights

Equity

Treating people unequally in order to make people more equal - Additional support to low-income groups, income benefits, policy, assistance to people with disabilities

Inequality

Differences in health experience and outcomes between different population groups due to SES, age, disability, ethnicity

Inequity

Differences in the distribution of resources between different populations that do not reflect the needs that exist within those populations - From injustice/unfairness

PROGRESS

Place of residence, Race/ethnicity/culture/language, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, Social capital + Disability

Lorenz Curve

Measuring income inequality, by plotting the distribution of wealth.

Gini Coefficient

The ratio of the area between the line of perfect equality and the observed lorenz curve to the area between the line of perfect equality and the line of perfect inequality.

Availability (of access)

The relationship of the volume and type of existing services (and resources) to the clients volume and type of needs.

Accommodation (of access)

The relationship between the manner in which supply resources are organised and the expectation of clients.

Acceptability (of access)

The relationship between clients and providers attitudes to what constitutes appropriate care.

Accessibility (of access)

The relationship between the location of supply and the location of clients, taking account of client transportation resources and travel time, distance and cost.

Affordability (of access)

The cost of provider services in relation to the clients ability and willingness to pay for these services.

Potential access

Refers to the knowledge and availability of services.

Realised access

Refers to the actual usage of services.

Population Pyramid

Tells us: Who are we serving and who needs it? The population structure can give us info on who needs it.

Dependency Ratios

Child: 0-14 years/working age x100 Elderly: over 65/working age x 100. Total: youth + elderly/working age x100. Working age; 15-64.

Demographic Transition

Shows how the demographic/population structure can change due to events.

Numerical ageing

The absolute increase in the population that is elderly.

Structural ageing

The increase in the preparation of the population that is elderly.

Age-standardisation

A statistical method used to compare two or more populations that have different age structures. It removes the effect of age so that differences in health outcomes can be compared fairly. It also reduces confounding.