HS

Epidemiology_ Basic Science of Public Health_JS_02.10.25 (1)

Introduction to Community and Public Health

  • Chapter 2: Descriptive Epidemiology in Community and Public Health

  • Epidemiology: Basic Science of Public Health

About Me

  • Julie Sanem, PhD (she/her)

  • Teaching: PUBH 3003

  • Position: Research Center Manager, Cannabis Research Center, School of Public Health since February 2024

    • Focus: Important research questions regarding cannabis and health

  • Previous Role: Director of Health Promotion at Boynton Health

    • Focus: Substance Use Prevention, Risk Reduction, Recovery

  • Education:

    • Ph.D. in Epidemiology (2017)

    • MPH in Community Health Education (2007)

Objectives

  • Define epidemiology

  • Understand the role of John Snow in epidemiology

  • Use common measures of disease occurrence to solve public health problems

  • Explain the purpose of measuring health and the application of data

  • Define the terms endemic, epidemic, and pandemic

What is Epidemiology?

  • The science focused on the distribution of health-related conditions, behaviors, and factors over time, place, and among persons

  • Helps identify antecedents and causes of health conditions to plan interventions for prevention and control

Responsibilities of Epidemiologists

  • Collect and analyze vital records (births, deaths)

  • Gather morbidity data (from health records)

  • Identify disease risks and public health issues within a population

  • Monitor diseases within communities

  • Investigate outbreaks to control or prevent epidemics

  • Design and implement surveillance systems and health screenings

  • Evaluate health programs

  • Provide data for planning and decision-making

Reportable Diseases (Minnesota Department of Health)

  • Immediate telephone report required for diseases such as:

    • Anthrax, Botulism, Cholera, etc.

  • Other diseases reportable within one working day include:

    • Babesiosis, Blastomycosis, COVID-19, and more

  • Detailed procedures for reporting and submission of clinical materials

Purpose of Population Health Information

  • Understanding community health status:

    • Current health issues

    • Changes over time

    • Influencing factors

  • Application of information for:

    • Identifying needs

    • Decision making about health investments

    • Assessing health program performance

    • Developing and evaluating public health policy

Population Characteristics in Measuring Disease Frequency

  • Analyzing data for subgroups:

    • Age, sex, race/ethnicity, location, and community membership types

Descriptive Epidemiology

  • Patterns of disease occurrence:

    • Who is affected (demographics, behaviors)

    • When they are affected (time factors)

    • Where the disease occurs (geographical considerations)

John Snow and His Contribution

  • Recognized as the "father" of epidemiology

  • Challenged the miasma theory during the cholera outbreak in London (1854)

    • Noted high mortality in poorer districts

Measures of Disease Occurrence

  • Incidence: New cases within a defined population over a specific time

  • Prevalence: Total cases (new and existing) at a certain point in time

Disease Proportions

  • Incidence Proportion:

    • Formula: (# of new cases / population at risk)

  • Prevalence Proportion:

    • Formula: (# of cases / total population)

  • Includes measures like mortality rates, birth rates, etc.

Case Studies and Examples

  • Incident Cases example (college study) shows methods to determine cases over specific timelines

  • Prevalent Cases example mirrors the methodology but focuses on total cases diagnosed

  • Illustrations of incidence and prevalence proportions through university data

Important Terms

  • Endemic: A disease consistently found in a particular area

  • Epidemic: A sudden increase above normal expectations for a locality

  • Pandemic: A global epidemic affecting multiple countries or populations

Prevention Paradox

  • Refers to prevention measures generating significant community benefits with relatively little impact on individuals

    • Examples include seat belt laws, smoking bans, and immunizations

Rose’s Theorem

  • Highlights that a large number of people exposed to low risk can create more cases than a small number exposed to high risk

Levels of Prevention

  • Primary Prevention: Preventing disease before onset (e.g., vaccinations)

  • Secondary Prevention: Identifying and treating diseases early (e.g., screening tests)

  • Tertiary Prevention: Managing disease to reduce complications (e.g., rehabilitation)

Social and Behavioral Epidemiology

  • Addresses how social factors influence diseases, including poverty and structural racism

Epidemiological Triad

  • Agent: Factors that can cause health conditions

  • Host: Organisms affected by agents

  • Environment: Conditions affecting the interactions between agents and hosts

Drug-related Issues

  • Internal and external factors affecting host (individual) conditions in drug use situations

Public Health Examples in Daily Life

  • Encourage observation of epidemiology in media, health programs, etc.

References

  • List of resources including podcasts, books, and articles related to public health and epidemiology.