Generalities Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the origin of the word epidemiology?
Based on Greek words: epi (on/upon), demos (the people), logos (the study)
The term reflects the study of health-related states or events in populations.
How is epidemiology defined?
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in human populations, and the application of this study to prevent and control health problems.
What is the main focus of clinicians compared to epidemiologists?
Clinicians focus on treating the patient as an individual, while epidemiologists provide information that helps determine public health action to prevent and control health problems.
Why is epidemiology considered ‘detective work’?
Because it involves answering the Five Ws: What is the outcome? Who is at risk? Where is it seen? When does it happen? Why does it happen?
Who is known as the first epidemiologist?
Hippocrates
What significant contributions did Hippocrates make to epidemiology?
Described disease from a rational basis, observed that different diseases occurred in different locations, introduced terms like epidemic and endemic.
What was Thomas Sydenham’s belief regarding the study of diseases?
-That observations should drive the study of the course of disease.
-advance treatments and remedies including exercise, fresh air and healthy diet
What did James Lind discover about scurvy?
Applied experimental methods to find that eating citrus fruits were effective remedies for scurvy among sailors.
What critical observation did Ignaz Semmelweis make in 1846?
-Observed high level of deaths in mothers with childbed fever.
-Identified the importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of disease
What study is John Snow known for?
Studying a cholera epidemic in London in 1848.
What method did John Snow use in his cholera study?
Mapped distribution of cases and identified water supply for those with cholera.
What did John Graunt contribute to epidemiology?
Systematically recorded mortality data and developed life tables.
What are the two types of causes of death identified by John Graunt?
- Acute - struck suddenly (e.g., cholera)
- Chronic - lasted over a long period (e.g., emphysema)
What did William Farr extend in the field of epidemiology?
The use of vital statistics and the idea of multifactorial etiology for diseases.
What was the main finding of Jane Lane-Claypon’s 1912 cohort study?
Babies fed breast milk gained more weight than those fed cow’s milk.
What contribution did Edgar Sydenstricker make to morbidity statistics?
Suggested classification into five general groups for value.
What did Wade Hampton Frost focus on in modern epidemiology?
The epidemiology of diseases like poliomyelitis, influenza, diphtheria, and tuberculosis.
What is the Framingham Study known for?
A prospective cohort study launched in 1948 to examine cardiovascular disease.
What is descriptive epidemiology?
Involves study designs used to answer Who?, What?, When?, and Where?
What is analytic epidemiology focused on?
Investigating which risk factors (exposures) may cause health effects (outcomes). (Why and how)
What is the ideal epidemiological study design?
Intervention studies.
What is the purpose of intervention studies?
To evaluate the effect of reducing a risk factor or increasing a protective factor on health outcomes.
List some activities performed in epidemiology.
- Identifying risk factors for disease
- Describing the natural history of disease
- Identifying populations at greatest risk
- Monitoring diseases over time
- Evaluating prevention and treatment programs.
Types of Analytical Studies
1-Ecological studies
2-Cross-sectional studies 3-Cohort studies
4-Case-control studies
