Session 1 Lecture 1: Intro to population science and global determinant of health

Question 1

Definition of Epidemiology

Answer 1

Study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states including diseases and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems

Question 2

What is population health affected by?

Answer 2

• Demographic shape, e.g. age/sex proportions
• Economic composition, e.g. wealth distribution
• Behavioural and lifestyle factors, e.g. diet, exercise

Question 3

What does the burden of disease, disability and ageing depend on?

Answer 3

• population size
• population shape
• age/sex specific rates

Question 4

How is the study of populations carried out?

Answer 4

Samples are used to make inferences about populations

Question 5

What are the 3 broad types of population pyramid?

Answer 5

• Expansive
• Constrictive
• Stationary

Question 6

Which population pyramid is used to describe populations that are young ad growing?

Answer 6

Expansive

Question 7

Which population pyramid is used to describe populations that are not growing?

Answer 7

Stationary

Question 8

Which population pyramid is used to describe populations that are elderly and shrinking?

Answer 8

Constrictive

Question 9

What are the typical characteristics of an expansive population pyramid?

Answer 9

• typical pyramid shape (broad base, narrow top)
• a larger percentage of the population in the younger age cohort is shown
• typically representative of developing nations whose pop have a higher fertility rate and lower than average life expectancies
• E.g Angola and Uganda

Question 10

What are the typical characteristics of a constrictive population pyramid?

Answer 10

• often look like beehives
• inverted shape with the graph tapering in at the bottom
• smaller percentages of people in younger age cohorts
• typically representative of countries with higher levels of social and economic development, where access to quality education and health care is available to a large portion of the pop
• E.g Singapore and Japan

Question 11

What are the typical characteristics of a stationary population pyramid?

Answer 11

• rectangular shape
• somewhat equal percentages across age cohorts that taper off toward the top
• typically representative of developed nations where birth rates are low and overall quality of life is high
• E.g UK and USA