Epidemiology Q&A
What is Epidemiology and how is it used in Public Health? - Epidemiology is the study of the distribution
and causes of disease in populations. It investigates health and disease with respect to person, place,
and time. And involves the ability to think logically, count and have an imaginative idea.
What are the 2 types of Epidemiology and describe them. - Descriptive Epidemiology-the study of the
natural history of the disease and determines the burden of the disease in the population.
Analytical Epidemiology-It identifies the cause of disease and evaluates new prevention or treatment
strategies
What is the difference between the terms exposure and outcome? - Exposure refers to factors that
could cause disease.
Outcome is the result of being exposed.
Primary Prevention - Preventing the disease before it can occur. Examples include: increase physical
activity, use of condoms, etc.
Secondary Prevention - Early identification of disease
Examples include: Mammograms, cholesterol test, etc.
Tertiary Prevention - Limit disability due to disease
Examples include: Appropriate treatment and follow-up, patient education, etc.
Hippocrates - Major contribution to epidemiology was systemic observation
What does modern epidemiology focus on and how does that differ from past decades? - Modern
epidemiology focuses on chronic diseases, prevention, and genetic epidemiology where as in past
decades it was more focused on quantifying diseases (nutritional deficiencies and infectious diseases)
, James Lind - Conducted the first clinical trial
John Snow - Analysis of vital statistics
John Graunt - Mapping of cholera epidemic
What are two possible sources of data? What are the strengths and limitations for each type? - Existing
data:
Strengths- large population, quicker, easier, cheaper
Weaknesses- not collected for research, can be incomplete or inaccurate, people included might be
different from those not included
Collecting Data:
Strengths- provides measurable variables, and the population in which you are interested, you have
more control over the quality of the data
Weaknesses: Higher costs in time and money, need to recruit participants, interview problems
What are the two types of epidemiological research? What are the major differences between the two?
- Descriptive- looks at the distribution of disease in terms of person, place, and time
Analytical- Evaluates risk factors for disease
What are the three types of descriptive statistics discussed in class? Make sure to include their
formulas! - Proportion, ratio, and rate
proportion= number of events/ the total number of observations in a group
ratio= number of observational events/ number of non-observational events
rate= (number of events per defined length of time)/ the total number of observations in a group
What is Epidemiology and how is it used in Public Health? - Epidemiology is the study of the distribution
and causes of disease in populations. It investigates health and disease with respect to person, place,
and time. And involves the ability to think logically, count and have an imaginative idea.
What are the 2 types of Epidemiology and describe them. - Descriptive Epidemiology-the study of the
natural history of the disease and determines the burden of the disease in the population.
Analytical Epidemiology-It identifies the cause of disease and evaluates new prevention or treatment
strategies
What is the difference between the terms exposure and outcome? - Exposure refers to factors that
could cause disease.
Outcome is the result of being exposed.
Primary Prevention - Preventing the disease before it can occur. Examples include: increase physical
activity, use of condoms, etc.
Secondary Prevention - Early identification of disease
Examples include: Mammograms, cholesterol test, etc.
Tertiary Prevention - Limit disability due to disease
Examples include: Appropriate treatment and follow-up, patient education, etc.
Hippocrates - Major contribution to epidemiology was systemic observation
What does modern epidemiology focus on and how does that differ from past decades? - Modern
epidemiology focuses on chronic diseases, prevention, and genetic epidemiology where as in past
decades it was more focused on quantifying diseases (nutritional deficiencies and infectious diseases)
, James Lind - Conducted the first clinical trial
John Snow - Analysis of vital statistics
John Graunt - Mapping of cholera epidemic
What are two possible sources of data? What are the strengths and limitations for each type? - Existing
data:
Strengths- large population, quicker, easier, cheaper
Weaknesses- not collected for research, can be incomplete or inaccurate, people included might be
different from those not included
Collecting Data:
Strengths- provides measurable variables, and the population in which you are interested, you have
more control over the quality of the data
Weaknesses: Higher costs in time and money, need to recruit participants, interview problems
What are the two types of epidemiological research? What are the major differences between the two?
- Descriptive- looks at the distribution of disease in terms of person, place, and time
Analytical- Evaluates risk factors for disease
What are the three types of descriptive statistics discussed in class? Make sure to include their
formulas! - Proportion, ratio, and rate
proportion= number of events/ the total number of observations in a group
ratio= number of observational events/ number of non-observational events
rate= (number of events per defined length of time)/ the total number of observations in a group
