Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics Midterm 522 Rush test graded A

The study of the distribution and determinants of heath-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this knowledge to the control of health problems - What is Epidemiology Distribution - Refers to person, place, and time Determinants - Physical, biological, social, cultural, economic and behavioral factors that influence health Health-Related States or Events - Includes wellness, illness, disease, injury, impairments, and disability Specified Populations - The characteristics of who is healthy, who is at risk for the disease, and who acquires the disease Control of Health Problems - The goal of epidemiology is to identify factors associated with the development of disease as well as factors that prevent illness Epidemiology focuses on _______________ - *Populations* & *Population Health* Not focused on providing direct care to individuals 6 Core Epidemiological Functions - Surveillance Field Investigations Analytical Studies Evaluation *Linkages* Policy Epidemiology is a ____________ science - Quantitative Study - Refers to systematic surveillance, observation, experimentation... use of a scientific approach Two Major Branches of Epidemiology - Descriptive Epidemiology: *distribution, frequency, and pattern* of health-related states and events (the who, where, when/person, place, time) Analytic Epidemiology: *determinants* of health-related states and events (the why/causes) Mission of CDC - Protect the health of the nation Variable - Any characteristic that can vary; the thing being measured or observed T/F: An operational definition defines how a variable will be measured, and includes the equipment and procedures that are used in the measurement. - True The conceptual definition of a variable: a. Explains what the variable means. b. Specifies how a variable should be measured. c. Describes the standards for measuring a variable. d. Specifies the precision of the measurements. - a. Explains what the variable means Conceptual Definitions - *Defines the variable*; dictionary definition Operational Definitions - Specifies how variable is measured; describes *operations used to obtain measurement* The dependent variable is: a. The intervention being studied. b. The outcome variable. c. The variable manipulated by the researcher. d. A characteristic of the person being studied. - b. The outcome variable Independent Variable - Manipulated in a study to see if it affects the outcome(s) being studied Intervention/treatment Usually only 1 Effects/causes the outcome of interest T/F: A study can have more than one dependent (outcome) variable. - True Dependent Variable - *Outcome*/response variable(s) Can be more than 1 Caused by independent variable