Introduction Public Health Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is public health?
A discipline that addresses health at a population level, focusing on groups and monitoring disease, disability, and risk factors.
Why study public health in relation to SUD?
Because drug use causes negative health effects, financial burdens, and contributes to global health problems such as HIV, hepatitis C, and overdoses.
Which substance is increasing in West and Central Africa?
Cannabis (5.2% to 13.5% usage rates).
Which drugs cause the most harm globally according to UNODC?
Opioids, responsible for 76% of deaths where drug use disorders were implicated.
What is the estimated number of non-medical opioid users in 2021?
60 million people (UNDOC 2023)
What percentage of drug users are problem drug users?
1 in 10 (27 million people)
Why are people who inject drugs at higher risk of HIV?
They are 35 times more at risk and face stigma, criminalization, and lack of access to health services.
What is the global impact of alcohol?
Causes 2.5 million deaths annually and is a factor in 60 diseases/injuries.
What are the core functions of public health?
1) Assessment, 2) Policy Development, 3) Assurance of services, plus Research as a supporting function.
What are the 5 key disciplines in public health?
Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Health Policy and Management.
Define incidence.
The rate of new or newly diagnosed cases of disease within a time period.
Define prevalence.
The actual number of cases (existing) with a disease at a point or over a period.
What is the Public Health Triangle?
A model involving Agent (substance), Host (user), and Environment (context of use).
What are examples of public health strategies for SUD?
Limiting access, changing norms/laws, regulating advertising and sale of substances.
What is epidemiology?
Study of patterns and causes of disease in populations and applying findings to control health problems.
