VERIFIED ANSWERS!!
Epidemiology is the study of correct answers The distribution and determinants of disease
What is Epidemiology? correct answers ~The study of how disease is distributed in
populations and the factors that influence and determine this distribution
~Disease and health are NOT randomly distributed in human population
Epidemiology correct answers ~"the study of the distribution and determinants of health-
related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to control of
health problems."
Principles of Epidemiology (Study) correct answers ~Quantitative discipline relying on a
working knowledge of statistics and sound research methods
~Method of causal reasoning based on developing and testing hypotheses
~ Foundation for directing practical and appropriate public health action
~Often described as the basic science of public health
Principles of Epidemiology (Distribution) correct answers ~Concerned with the frequency
and pattern of health events in a population
~Frequency: Number of health-related events in a population and relationship of that number
to the size of the population
~Pattern: Occurrence of health-related events by time, place, and person
~Characterizing health-related events by time, place and person are activities of descriptive
epidemiology
Principles of Epidemiology (Determinants) correct answers ~Determinants: causes and other
factors that influence the occurrence of disease and other health-related events
~Illness happens when the right accumulation of risk factors or determinants exists in an
individual
~Analytical epidemiology: use of epidemiologic studies to provide the Why and How of
health-related events
Principles of Epidemiology (Health-related states or events) correct answers Focus has
expanded:
~Epidemic communicable diseases
~Endemic communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases
~Chronic diseases, injuries, birth defects, maternal-child health, occupational, environmental
health
~Behaviors related to health and well-being and genetic markers of disease risk
Principles of Epidemiology (Specified populations) correct answers ~Clinicians (health-care
providers) is concerned about health of an individual (patient = individual)
~Epidemiologist is concerned with the collective health of the population (patient =
community)
~For a given case, focus on identifying cause of the illness, number of other persons who
may be affected, potential for further spread in the community, and interventions or other
preventive measures
, Principles of Epidemiology (Application) correct answers ~Not just the study of health in a
population
~Involves applying knowledge gained via the studies to community-based practice
~Combines descriptive and analytic epidemiology, experience, judgment, and understanding
to "diagnose" health of a community and propose intervention/prevention actions
Core Epidemiologic Functions correct answers Public Health Surveillance
Field Investigation
Analytic Studies
Evaluation
Linkages
Policy Development
Core Epidemiologic Functions (Public Health Surveillance) correct answers Ex: Reviewing
reports of test results for Chlamydia trachomatis from public health clinics
Core Epidemiologic Functions (Field Investigation) correct answers Ex: Interviewing persons
infected with Chlamydia to identify their sex partners
Core Epidemiologic Functions (Analytic Studies) correct answers Ex: Comparing persons
with symptomatic versus asymptomatic Chlamydia infection to identify predictors
Core Epidemiologic Functions (Evaluation) correct answers Ex: Conducting an analysis of
patient flow at the public health clinic to determine waiting times for clinic patients
Core Epidemiologic Functions (Linkages) correct answers Ex: Meeting with directors of
family planning clinics and college health clinics to discuss Chlamydia testing and reporting
Core Epidemiologic Functions (Policy Development) correct answers Ex: Developing
guidelines/criteria about which patients coming to the clinic should be screened (tested) for
Chlamydia infection
Descriptive Epidemiology correct answers Descriptive epidemiology covers time, place, and
person
Descriptive Epidemiology (Time) correct answers Displaying patterns of disease occurrence
by time is critical for monitoring and assessing the need for interventions
~Secular (long term) trends -obesity
~Seasonality -flu
~Day of week and time of day -9/11
~Epidemic period (epidemic curve) - Mycobacterium abscessus
Descriptive Epidemiology (Place) correct answers Displaying patterns of disease occurrence
by place provides insights into extent and geographic variation
Descriptive Epidemiology (Person) correct answers Personal characteristics may affect
illness
~Age and sex are most commonly analyzed person attributes
~Ethnic and racial groups