EPIDEMIOLOGY TERMINOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Pandemic - ANSWER-An epidemic occurring over a very wide area (several countries
or continents) and usually affecting a large proportion of the population.
Pathogenesis - ANSWER-the origination and development of a disease.
Pathology - ANSWER-the study of diseases and of the changes that they cause
Prevalence - ANSWER-The number or proportion of cases or events or conditions in a
given population.
Rate - ANSWER-An expression of the frequency with which an event occurs in a
defined population.
Variable - ANSWER-any characteristic or attribute that can be measured.
Etiology - ANSWER-the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or
condition.
Epidemiology - ANSWER-The study of the distribution and determinants of health-
related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the
control of health problems.
Epidemic - ANSWER-The occurrence of more cases of disease than expected in a
given area or among a specific group of people over a particular period of time.
Endemic - ANSWER-prevalent in or limited to a particular locality, region, or people.
Native to or limited to a certain region.
Epidemiological Triangle - ANSWER-The traditional model of infectious disease
causation. includes three components: an external agent, a susceptible host, and an
environment that brings the host and agent together, so that disease occurs.
Agent - ANSWER-A factor, such as a microorganism, chemical substance, or form of
radiation, whose presence, excessive presence, or (in deficiency diseases) relative
absence is essential for the occurrence of a disease.
Cohort - ANSWER-A well-defined group of people who have had a common experience
or exposure, who are then followed up for the incidence of new diseases or events, as
in a cohort or prospective study. A group of people born during a particular period or
year is called a birth cohort.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Pandemic - ANSWER-An epidemic occurring over a very wide area (several countries
or continents) and usually affecting a large proportion of the population.
Pathogenesis - ANSWER-the origination and development of a disease.
Pathology - ANSWER-the study of diseases and of the changes that they cause
Prevalence - ANSWER-The number or proportion of cases or events or conditions in a
given population.
Rate - ANSWER-An expression of the frequency with which an event occurs in a
defined population.
Variable - ANSWER-any characteristic or attribute that can be measured.
Etiology - ANSWER-the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or
condition.
Epidemiology - ANSWER-The study of the distribution and determinants of health-
related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the
control of health problems.
Epidemic - ANSWER-The occurrence of more cases of disease than expected in a
given area or among a specific group of people over a particular period of time.
Endemic - ANSWER-prevalent in or limited to a particular locality, region, or people.
Native to or limited to a certain region.
Epidemiological Triangle - ANSWER-The traditional model of infectious disease
causation. includes three components: an external agent, a susceptible host, and an
environment that brings the host and agent together, so that disease occurs.
Agent - ANSWER-A factor, such as a microorganism, chemical substance, or form of
radiation, whose presence, excessive presence, or (in deficiency diseases) relative
absence is essential for the occurrence of a disease.
Cohort - ANSWER-A well-defined group of people who have had a common experience
or exposure, who are then followed up for the incidence of new diseases or events, as
in a cohort or prospective study. A group of people born during a particular period or
year is called a birth cohort.
