Health issues II Exam

Epidemiology

The study of the frequency, distribution, and determinants of health problems and disease in human populations.

Incidence

The number of NEW CASES of disease that develop in a population of individuals at risk during a specified time period.

Prevalence

The total number of EXISTING CASES of disease in a population at one point in time.

Descriptive Epidemiology (incidence & prevalence)

used to describe a health problem. Characterize the amount and distribution of a disease.

• What, when, where, and who of a condition

• Person, place, time

Analytical Epidemiology

ften follow descriptive studies: used to determine the cause of a health problem.

• Explains the “why” of a condition

• Agent, host, environment

p-value = confidence

Public Health Action

Strategies implemented based on epidemiological findings to promote health and reduce disease.

Surveillance in Epidemiology

The continuous, systematic collecting, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data regarding a health-related event.

Geographic Patterns

Patterns observed in health data that can indicate locations with higher or lower incidence of a health problem.

Determinants of Health

Factors that influence health outcomes, including biological, socio-economic, and environmental factors.

TIME, PLACE, PERSON

• Time: When events occurred (diagnoses, reporting, testing)

  • Trends, seasonal variations, cohort effects…

• Place: Geography of the affected individuals

  • Variations between geographical areas – local, national, international…

• Person: Charactertists of the individual affected by the outcome.

  • Variations in health by age, sex, ethnicity, occupation, leisure interests etc

data collection

type of data

reporting

what to do with the data

analysis

what kind of analysis we get from the data

response

intervention and targeting

Analytical Epidemiology (causal claims)

descriptive epiedemiology + Analysis of cause and effect

types of analytical studies

observational

• cross-sectional study

  • descriptive or analytical

• case control study

• cohort study

intervention study/ experimentation

• randomized controlled trial (RCT)

John Snow

Physician known for his work in epidemiology, particularly in mapping cholera outbreaks in London.

Miasma Theory

The hypothesis that diseases such as cholera were caused by 'bad air' or toxic vapors.

Cohort Study

follows two groups over time to compare the occurrence of disease based on exposure to risk factors.

Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)

Compares effectiveness of a new intervention against the best current alternative (or a placebo

Case-Control Study

Compares people with a condition (cases) to a similar group of people without the condition (controls)

Cross-Sectional Study

Information on health status and other characteristics is collected from each subject at one point in time

Bradford Hill's Criteria for Causation

1. Strength of association

2. Temporal relationship

3. Geographical distribution

4. Dose-response relationship

5. Consistency of results

6. Biological plausibility (but remember John Snow)

7. Specificity (if a single causal agent)

8. Reversibility

Selection Bias

A form of bias that occurs when the sample chosen for a study is not representative of the population.

Public Health

It allows the distribution of health and unhealthy in a

population to be described, and possible causal

factors to be identified.

Epidemiological Association

The relationship between a risk factor and a health outcome, which does not automatically imply causation.

Biological Plausibility

The consistency of epidemiological findings with existing biological knowledge regarding disease mechanisms.

Interpreting results of analytical studies

is there association or not

Polysomnography (PSG)

A comprehensive sleep study used to diagnose sleep disorders, involving monitoring various physiological parameters during sleep.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

jet lag and shift work

Sleep disorders that occur due to misalignment between an individual’s biological clock and external demands on the sleep cycle.

Insomnia Disorder

is dissatisfaction with sleep, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or difficulty returning to sleep after awakenings during the night

(at least 3 nights per week for at least three months.)

difficulty falling, staying and returning to sleep

Narcolepsy

extreme daytime sleepiness, marked by recurrent episodes of an irresistible need to sleep, unintentional sleep episodes, or napping. (at least 3 times per week for at least 3 months)

Parasomnias

Disruptive sleep disorders involving abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, and sleep talking.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

most informative

measures the electrical changes in the brain. the electrodes are placed on the scalp.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

A test designed to measure daytime sleepiness by assessing how quickly a person falls asleep in a series of short naps.

Hypersomnolence Disorder

A condition characterized by excessive sleepiness despite adequate sleep, affecting daily functioning.

Restless Legs Syndrome

A condition involving uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them, often disrupting sleep.

Sleep-disordered Breathing (Sleep Apnea)

A disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness.

when are sleep disorders considered pathological?

if it negatively impacts your day-day life - if it doesn’t it’s just a sleep disturbance

Electrooculogram (EOG)

eye movement

measures the electrical changes as the eyes rotate in its socket. The electrodes are placed either above and below the eye or left and right of the eye.

Electromyogram (EMG)

muscle tension

measures the electrical changes generated during muscle contraction. The electrodes are placed under the chin.

multiple sleep latentcy test (MSLT)

Actigraphy

Actigraphy

It is a relatively non-invasive method of monitoring human rest/activity cycles

2 Categories of Sleep Disorders

are dyssomnias and parasomnias.

dyssomnia

• Problems in the timing of sleep

• Complaints about the quality of sleep

• entrance into sleep

insomnia

parasomnias

• Abnormal behavioral & physiological events during sleep

• e.g. nightmares, sleep walking, sleep talking

• effects sleeping

narcolepsy requires one of three additional findings:

1. episodes of cataplexy - sudden loss of muscle tone

2. hypocretin - (low orexin)

3. reduced latency to REM - 15 minutes or less

hypnagogic

hallucinations occurring at sleep onset, often experienced during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.

hypnopompic

hallucinations occurring upon waking, often occurring during the transition from sleep to wakefulness.

night terrors

3-4

somnambulism

3 & 4

principles of sleep hygiene

• Sleep in cool, quiet, comfortable place.

• Keep regular sleep-wake schedule.

• When having trouble sleeping at night, avoid daytime

naps.

• Exercise < 4hrs before bed.

• Avoid caffeine, food close to bedtime.

• Make bed a restful heaven for sleep.

• Don’t worry about not getting enough sleep .

• Change sleeping place, if unable to sleep.

Canada Health Transfer

- health related services

- extra billing not permitted

Canada Social Transfer

- provinces & territories

- Child care, post secondary

Territorial Formula Financing

unique geography

-just territories

Federal Health Transfer Payments

- house use: 30% of health care Spending = consumer's pockets/insurance

- based on distribution

what is Canada's health care system?

a group of socialized health insurance plans

-provides coverage to all Canadian citizens

is the Canadian Health Care system publicly funded?

Yes, it is publicly funded

Who administers Canadian Health Care system?

provincial or territorial basis, within the guidlines set by the federal government.

Health Care Funding

The care received is specific to each province or territory

- provided via taxation (personal or corporate)

- sales tax and lottery or proceed

Funded at both the provincial and federal levels

What is a for-profit organization?

Formed to make money, or profits, by offering products or services

ex: retail stores, restaurants

- maximize capital gain

ex: food and meal prep, maintenance, cleaning/Laundry, security

What is a non-for-profit organization?

An organization set up for a purpose other than profit

The money that is made goes back to the program

- minimize capital gain

- subsidized

How are hospitals funded?

privately but non-for-profit organization

How are Physicians (unless salaried) funded

they are paid through the hospitals

Consumer Health Products

cover a broad range of products that are defined and organized by health canada.

qualified health claim

is supported by scientific evidence but does not achieve the "significant scientific agreement" standard.

Health claim

a relationship between a food and a reduced risk of a disease or a health-related condition.

authorized health claim

regulatory bodies has authorized for use based on "significant scientific agreement" on the subject.

Nutrient Content Claims

describe the level of a nutrient in a food.

Structure/Function Claims

describe the role of a nutrient or ingredient on the structure or function of the human body

consumer health products

• Non-prescription drugs (e.g., pain relievers, cold and allergy remedies, acne therapies);

• Disinfectants (e.g., for use on countertops, contact lens solution);

• Cosmetics (e.g., make-up, shampoos, deodorants); and

• Natural health products (e.g., vitamin and mineral supplements, traditional and homeopathic medicines, probiotics, toothpastes).

consumer health products guiding principles

• protecting the health and safety of Canadians;

• a science-based approach;

• transparency of important product information;

• proportional oversight for products, both pre- and post-market;

• flexibility to address varying risk profiles;

• international alignment;

• operational efficiency and sustainability;

• responsive regulatory approach; and

• reduction and prevention of regulatory barriers to small businesses.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care.

Conventional Medicine

Health treatment administered by professionals who hold an M.D. or D.O. degree, often using drugs, radiation, or surgery.

manages symptoms of disease and focuses on healing at the organ level. but it does not fix the root cause and neglets system level

Integrative Medicine

focuses in healing the individuals as a whole. uses the best evidence-based therapies available.

Holistic Approach

A view that considers the whole person—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—in treatment.

Alternative Medicine

Non-mainstream practices used as replace conventional medical care.

Mind-Body Therapies

Practices based on the premise that the mind influences the body in ways that affect well-being.

Energy Therapies

Therapies based on the idea that a disruption or imbalance of energy can lead to illness.

Standard of Care

Treatment that is accepted by medical experts and widely used by healthcare professionals for a specific disease.

CAM Users Statistics

Approximately 42% of people in the U.S. have used CAM at least once in the last 5 years.

Conventional vs. CAM

Conventional medicine often focuses on symptom management, while CAM may focus on healing the body as a whole.

Major Deciding Factor in Health Care Choices

Insurance status which affects the management of chronic conditions.

Herbal Products

Plant-derived substances used in therapies that fall under the CAM category.

Patient-Provider Communication

Critical exchange where 40-70% of CAM users do not disclose their CAM use to physicians.

Mind-Body Therapy Examples

Meditation, yoga, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy are among the practices that demonstrate this approach.

Technological Influence on Health

The impact of new technology on health outcomes and patient interactions.

what is medicine

diagnostic treatment

what is interdrated medicine?

looking at the body through a different lens.

mental, social, rather than genes

neuropathy

nerves dying resulting in pain or loss of function.

peripheral

pain in fingers and toes

tendonitis

inflammation

who needs to approve Complementary Medicines

the royal collage of surgeons, if not its considered alternative medicine

which two types of medicine is CAM against

alternative and complementary medicine

functional medicine

addresses functional imbalances underlying illness and promotes optimal health function

homeopatic treatment

no bio in it.

which natural substance has anti-cancer properties?

curcumin, tumeric

photodynamic therapy

uses light to change a molecualr process. alters metabolism

photothermal therapy

using high energy light to heat and damage tissue, to decrease inflammation after an injury.

Cancer

A disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.