EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH: KEY CONCEPTS AND DATA ANALYSIS QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
What is epidemiology? - The study of distribution and determinants of health-related states or
events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems.
What is an epidemiologist? - One who practices epidemiology.
Define epidemic. - An unexpectedly large number of cases of an illness, specific health-related
behavior, or event in a particular population.
What is the difference between an epidemic and an outbreak? - An outbreak is similar to an
epidemic but is used for more limited geographical areas.
Define endemic. - A disease that occurs at an expected level in a population or in a certain
location.
What is a pandemic? - An outbreak of disease over a wide geographical area.
What historical figure is associated with early epidemiological methods? - John Snow, known for
his work in limiting disease and deaths during cholera outbreaks.
Why are rates important in epidemiology? - Rates allow for comparison of outbreaks at different
times or in different places.
What is the definition of incidence rate? - The number of new health-related events or cases of
a disease, divided by the population at risk.
What is an attack rate? - An incidence rate calculated for a particular population for a single
disease outbreak, expressed as a percentage.
, Define prevalence rate. - The number of new and old cases in a given period of time, divided by
the total number in that population.
What types of diseases are incidence rates particularly important for? - Acute diseases, where
the peak severity of symptoms occurs and subsides within days or weeks.
What types of diseases are prevalence rates particularly useful for? - Chronic diseases, which
usually last 3 months or longer.
What does the term 'population at risk' refer to? - Those susceptible to a particular disease or
condition.
What are some commonly used rates in epidemiology? - Natality (birth), morbidity (sickness),
and mortality or fatality (death) rates.
What is the significance of life expectancy in epidemiology? - It is a standardized measurement
of health status that indicates the average number of years a person is expected to live.
What does YPLL stand for? - Years of Potential Life Lost, a measure of premature mortality.
What does DALY stand for? - Disability-Adjusted Life Years, a measure of overall disease burden.
What is HALE? - Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy, a measure that adjusts life expectancy by the
quality of health.
What are secondary data sources in epidemiology? - Data collected from existing records or
studies used by epidemiologists and health officials.
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
What is epidemiology? - The study of distribution and determinants of health-related states or
events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems.
What is an epidemiologist? - One who practices epidemiology.
Define epidemic. - An unexpectedly large number of cases of an illness, specific health-related
behavior, or event in a particular population.
What is the difference between an epidemic and an outbreak? - An outbreak is similar to an
epidemic but is used for more limited geographical areas.
Define endemic. - A disease that occurs at an expected level in a population or in a certain
location.
What is a pandemic? - An outbreak of disease over a wide geographical area.
What historical figure is associated with early epidemiological methods? - John Snow, known for
his work in limiting disease and deaths during cholera outbreaks.
Why are rates important in epidemiology? - Rates allow for comparison of outbreaks at different
times or in different places.
What is the definition of incidence rate? - The number of new health-related events or cases of
a disease, divided by the population at risk.
What is an attack rate? - An incidence rate calculated for a particular population for a single
disease outbreak, expressed as a percentage.
, Define prevalence rate. - The number of new and old cases in a given period of time, divided by
the total number in that population.
What types of diseases are incidence rates particularly important for? - Acute diseases, where
the peak severity of symptoms occurs and subsides within days or weeks.
What types of diseases are prevalence rates particularly useful for? - Chronic diseases, which
usually last 3 months or longer.
What does the term 'population at risk' refer to? - Those susceptible to a particular disease or
condition.
What are some commonly used rates in epidemiology? - Natality (birth), morbidity (sickness),
and mortality or fatality (death) rates.
What is the significance of life expectancy in epidemiology? - It is a standardized measurement
of health status that indicates the average number of years a person is expected to live.
What does YPLL stand for? - Years of Potential Life Lost, a measure of premature mortality.
What does DALY stand for? - Disability-Adjusted Life Years, a measure of overall disease burden.
What is HALE? - Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy, a measure that adjusts life expectancy by the
quality of health.
What are secondary data sources in epidemiology? - Data collected from existing records or
studies used by epidemiologists and health officials.
