Hsci130 6-1 descriptive epidemiology

what are the 4 definitions of epidemiology?

• the study of the distribution and determinants

• of health-related states

• in specified populations and

• the application of this study to control health problems

what is the breakdown of the word “epidemiology”?

epi - among or upon

demos - the people

logia - study

what is distribution?

the occurrence of cases by time, place, and person

what are determinants?

all the causes and risk factors for the occurrence of the disease

what are health related states?

• diagnosis of a specific disease or cause of death

• health related behaviour, like smoking, taking prenatal vitamins

an example of a health related state would be cervical cancer

what is specified population?

measurable groups, defined by location, time, demographics and other characteristics

what is application?

analysis, conclusion, distribution and timely use of epidemiological information to protect the health of the population

• ex. free cervical cancer screenings

what did Jon Snow do?

had two theories about cholera, documented the source of the drinking water from people dying from cholera

what was Jon Snow’s grand experiment?

compared two water companies, one taking clean water and one that took polluted water, found that people who drank the polluted water had more cholera, proving that cholera spread through water and not air

what was Jon Snow’s Broad Street Pump experiment?

he noticed many cholera cases were clustered around a public water pump on Broad Street, he removed the pump’s handle to stop people from using it and cases quickly dropped

what was Jon Snow’s side of the street observation?

he noticed that one on side of Broad Street, many people got sick while on the other side, didn’t 

what are the 5 applications of epidemiology?

1. identifying the cause of a new syndrome

2. assessing risks of exposure

3. determining whether treatment “x” is effective

4. identifying Health Service Use needs and trends

5. identifying practical prevention strategies

what is the definition of an endemic?

cases that are continually occurring in the population

what is an epidemic?

an outbreak of a disease in a localized group of people, spread by vectors, carries and sudden introduction of a new pathogen

what is a pandemic?

a pandemic is an epidemic that have spread beyond their local region and are affecting people in various/all parts of the world