Page |1
Epidemiology Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Epidemiology
Ans: It is the study of the distribution and determinants of
health related states or events in specific populations and the
application of this study to control health problems.
Two assumptions inherent in epi studies
Ans: 1. Diseases are NOT randomly distributed in populations.
2. Diseases have specific causes that can be identified,
prevented, and treated.
Functions of Epidemiology
Ans: - To discover the agent, host, and environmental factors
which affect health, in order to provide the scientific basis for
the prevention of disease and injury and the promotion of
health.
- To determine the relative importance of causes of illness,
disability, and death, in order to establish priorities for research
and action.
- To identify those sections of the population which have th e
greatest risk from specific causes of ill health, in order that the
indicated action may be directed appropriately.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
- To evaluate the effectiveness of health programs and services
in improving the health of the population.
Objectives of Epidemiology
Ans: 1. To identify the etiology (cause) of a disease and the risk
factors associated with the disease.
2. To determine the extent of disease found in the community.
What is the burden of disease?
3. To study the natural history and prognosis of the d isease
4. To evaluate both existing and new preventative and
therapeutic measures and modes of health care delivery
5. To provide the foundation for developing public policy and
regulatory decisions relating to epidemiologic problems
Issues in Epidemiology
Ans: -Where there is a link between factor and health outcome
- does this mean the factor is the cause of disease?
-Is there is an association, does the amount of disease vary
according to the amount of exposure to the factor?
-Based on the observation of such an association, what
practical steps should individuals and public health
departments take?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
-Do the findings from an epidemiologic study merit panic or
measured response?
-How applicable are the findings to settings other than the one
in which the research was conducted?
Epidemiological Approach
Ans: -Observation
-Definition of disease process
-Descriptive epidemiology
-Analytical Epidemiology
-Experimental Epidemiology
Surveillance
Ans: Ongoing and systematic collection, analysis and
interpretation of health related data
-Assess public health status, define public health problems,
evaluate programs, stimulate research
Primary prevention
Ans: prevention or cessation of risk factor exposure (active or
passive)
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
Secondary prevention
Ans: intent to reduce progress of disease, screenings for "high
risk" subjects - detection. Involves people who already have a
disease.
Tertiary prevention
Ans: reduces limitation of disability from disease.
Population-based approach/public health approach:
Ans: -Applied to whole population, dietary modification, must
be inexpensive and non-invasive
High-risk approach (clinically based):
Ans: -Expensive or invasive (ie. colonscopy for those with
family history, cholesterol screening for children from high risk
families)
Hippocrates
Ans: 400 BC - Found that disease is associated with physical
environment
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
Epidemiology Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Epidemiology
Ans: It is the study of the distribution and determinants of
health related states or events in specific populations and the
application of this study to control health problems.
Two assumptions inherent in epi studies
Ans: 1. Diseases are NOT randomly distributed in populations.
2. Diseases have specific causes that can be identified,
prevented, and treated.
Functions of Epidemiology
Ans: - To discover the agent, host, and environmental factors
which affect health, in order to provide the scientific basis for
the prevention of disease and injury and the promotion of
health.
- To determine the relative importance of causes of illness,
disability, and death, in order to establish priorities for research
and action.
- To identify those sections of the population which have th e
greatest risk from specific causes of ill health, in order that the
indicated action may be directed appropriately.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
- To evaluate the effectiveness of health programs and services
in improving the health of the population.
Objectives of Epidemiology
Ans: 1. To identify the etiology (cause) of a disease and the risk
factors associated with the disease.
2. To determine the extent of disease found in the community.
What is the burden of disease?
3. To study the natural history and prognosis of the d isease
4. To evaluate both existing and new preventative and
therapeutic measures and modes of health care delivery
5. To provide the foundation for developing public policy and
regulatory decisions relating to epidemiologic problems
Issues in Epidemiology
Ans: -Where there is a link between factor and health outcome
- does this mean the factor is the cause of disease?
-Is there is an association, does the amount of disease vary
according to the amount of exposure to the factor?
-Based on the observation of such an association, what
practical steps should individuals and public health
departments take?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
-Do the findings from an epidemiologic study merit panic or
measured response?
-How applicable are the findings to settings other than the one
in which the research was conducted?
Epidemiological Approach
Ans: -Observation
-Definition of disease process
-Descriptive epidemiology
-Analytical Epidemiology
-Experimental Epidemiology
Surveillance
Ans: Ongoing and systematic collection, analysis and
interpretation of health related data
-Assess public health status, define public health problems,
evaluate programs, stimulate research
Primary prevention
Ans: prevention or cessation of risk factor exposure (active or
passive)
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
Secondary prevention
Ans: intent to reduce progress of disease, screenings for "high
risk" subjects - detection. Involves people who already have a
disease.
Tertiary prevention
Ans: reduces limitation of disability from disease.
Population-based approach/public health approach:
Ans: -Applied to whole population, dietary modification, must
be inexpensive and non-invasive
High-risk approach (clinically based):
Ans: -Expensive or invasive (ie. colonscopy for those with
family history, cholesterol screening for children from high risk
families)
Hippocrates
Ans: 400 BC - Found that disease is associated with physical
environment
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
