intro Flashcards
Define epidemiology
study of distribution and determinants of health related states among specified populations and the application of this to study to the control of health problems
role of epidemiologist
- looks at population levels to spot absence or presence of an ilness or disease
- look at frequency of specific diseases
-look at mortality levels ( age and sex levels)
reduce health inequalities
-discover the host , agent and environment affecting health
whats the difference between communicable and non communicable diseases
communicable- can be transferred by infectious agent but non communicable is usually chronic and genetic
What are the 3 types of diseases
cd , ncd and mental health
what are the 2 types of epidemiology and whats the difference between them
experimental and descripitve/observational
observational (distributional)- describes patterns and trends , time and place of people (demo) and generate hypothesis (how many diseases? , where are the diseases , how often and who?)
experimental (determinants)
- look at research , causation of death and the problems( why is there diseases , what causes , any relationships , mortality?)
- any factors?
Define communicable disease
an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxins , can occur through direct or indirect transmission
key facts about communicable data
- leading cause of death and disability in low income countries , caused by microorganisms e.g parasites , viruses , bacteria , fungi
infectious - can spread directly and indirectly
transmission through varies ways- vectors , air
define ncd
disease or medical condition not caused by infectious agent (chronic)
what is morbidity?
a departure from psychological and physiological well being
what is public health surveillance and give examples
ongoing , systematic collection , analysis and interpretation of health related states to plan and implement and evaluate public health practice
w.g monitoring cmd- covid
monitoring ncd-
define health
state of complete physical , mental and social wellbeing and not just the above fr of disease or infirmity
what does exposure refer to
a factor the population was in contact with that can increase or decrease a disease .
what’s an outcome ?
the resulting disease , presence or absence ( morbidity) or death (mortality)
define research
systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions … creation of new knowledge and /or of existing knowledge to generate new concepts
define health
the state of complete mental , physical and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease
