Epidemiology and Public Health Surveillance

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the science of epidemiology, morbidity measurements, surveillance systems, disease causation models, and outbreak investigation steps based on the lecture notes.

Epidemiology

The study of the occurrence and distribution of health conditions such as disease, death, deformities or disabilities on human population, and the study of probable factors that influence their development.

Epidemiology (Last, 1988 definition)

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to the prevention and control of health problems.

Frequency

Refers to the number of health events, such as cases of pneumonia or diabetes, as well as the ratios and rates of cases in the population.

Pattern

Refers to the occurrence of health conditions or disease by time, place and person.

Health-related states or events

This includes disease, cause of death, behaviors (e.g., tobacco use), positive health states, reactions to preventive regimens, and the provision and use of health services.

Specified population

Groups with identifiable characteristics, such as occupational groups, that are the focus of epidemiological study.

Aim of Public Health

To promote, protect and restore good health.

Morbidity Indicators

Indicators representing any departure, subjective or objective, from a state of physiological or psychological well being, based on disease-specific incidence or prevalence.

Incidence Rate

Measures the number of NEW cases, episodes, or events occurring over a specified period of time within a specified population at risk.

At-Risk Group

Members who are FREE of the disease but have the POTENTIAL for developing a particular disease within a specified period of time.

Cohort

A group of people who share common defining characteristics.

Cumulative Incidence (CI) Formula

$$CI = \frac{\text{number of NEW cases that developed during period}}{\text{number of person followed-up}} \times F$$

Incidence Density Rate Formula

$$IDR = \frac{\text{number of NEW cases that developed during period}}{\text{sum of person-time at risk}} \times F$$

Time at Risk

The duration of time during which the person under observation remains disease free.

Prevalence Rate (PR) Formula

$$PR = \frac{\text{number of existing cases in population at a particular point in time}}{\text{population at the same specified point in time}}$$

Disease Surveillance

The continuous scrutiny of occurrence of diseases and health related events to enable prompt interventions for the control of disease.

Public Health Surveillance (WHO)

The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health related data needed for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health practice.

Active Surveillance

A system in which public health staff members actively and regularly contact health care providers or the population to obtain information about the disease of interest.

Passive Surveillance

A system by which public health staff receives reports from hospitals, clinics, public health units or other sources.

Philippine Integrated Behavioral and Serological Surveillance (IHBSS)

Monitors seropositivity among most at-risk groups for HIV infection and the behaviors that put them at risk.

Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR)

Integrates health statistics generated through the major disease surveillance systems in the country.

Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NDRS)

Generates information on $17$ diseases and $7$ syndromes to estimate morbidity rates.

National Epidemic Sentinel Surveillance System (NESSS)

A hospital-based surveillance system for admitted cases with outbreak potential that serves as an early warning system for epidemics.

VPD Surveillance

Focuses on monitoring priority vaccine-preventable diseases targeted for eradication and elimination: poliomyelitis, measles, and neonatal tetanus.

HIV-AIDS Registry

Keeps track of the number of HIV-AIDS cases through a voluntary testing program.

Epidemiological Triad

The traditional model of infectious disease consisting of a susceptible host, an external agent, and an environment.

Wheel Model of Disease Causation

Model emphasizing host genetic makeup (inner core) and characteristics like age and sex (outer core) surrounded by a biological, physical, and chemical environment.

Iceberg Principle

Shows a situation where the problem is subclinical, unreported, or hidden, with only the 'tip' of diagnosed disease visible.

Primordial Prevention

Prevention level aimed at avoiding the development of risk factors.

Primary Prevention

Managing risk factors to prevent the biological onset of disease through methods like immunization, health education, and prophylaxis.

Secondary Prevention

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment (e.g., screening, surveillance) to manage disease before symptoms become severe.

Tertiary Prevention

Reducing complications and disability through treatment compliance, adherence, functional status monitoring, and rehabilitation.

Outbreak Investigation

The occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what the community would normally expect in a defined geographical area or season.

Sporadic Level

Occasional cases occurring at irregular intervals.

Endemic Level

Persistent occurrence of a disease with a low to moderate level.

Hyperendemic Level

A persistently high level of disease occurrence.

Epidemic (Outbreak)

Occurrence clearly in excess of the expected level for a given time period.

Pandemic

An epidemic spread over several countries or continents, affecting a large number of people.

Case Definition

A tool including criteria by time, place, and person for classifying someone as having or not having the disease of interest.