By definition, epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global). ...
What is epidemiology in simple words?
Epidemiology is 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 (1). Key terms in this definition reflect some of the important principles of epidemiology.
What is epidemiology and examples?
Epidemiology is the branch of medicine that investigates human populations to determine the causes and dissemination of diseases that impact different groups over a specific time frame. It also aids in developing control methods to contain the spread of disease.
What is epidemiology summary?
As the basic science of public health, epidemiology includes the study of the frequency, patterns, and causes of health-related states or events in populations , and the application of that study to address public health issues. ... Two essential concepts of epidemiology are population and comparison.
What are the key aspects of epidemiology?
Major areas of epidemiological study include disease causation, transmission, outbreak investigation, disease surveillance, environmental epidemiology, forensic epidemiology, occupational epidemiology, screening , biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects such as in clinical trials.
What are the 5 main objectives of epidemiology?
In the mid-1980s, five major tasks of epidemiology in public health practice were identified: public health surveillance, field investigation, analytic studies, evaluation, and linkages.
What are the 3 major types of epidemiologic studies?
Three major types of epidemiologic studies are cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies (study designs are discussed in more detail in IOM, 2000). A cohort, or longitudinal, study follows a defined group over time.
What is the purpose of epidemiology?
Epidemiology identifies the distribution of diseases, factors underlying their source and cause, and methods for their control ; this requires an understanding of how political, social and scientific factors intersect to exacerbate disease risk, which makes epidemiology a unique science.
What is the best definition for epidemiology?
By definition, epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global).
What are the aims of epidemiology?
Epidemiology is defined as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease),” and the goal of epidemiologists is to apply findings to control diseases or health issues .
What are the four uses of epidemiology?
In the mid-1980s, five major tasks of epidemiology in public health practice were identified: public health surveillance, field investigation, analytic studies, evaluation, and linkages .
What are the two types of epidemiology?
Epidemiologic studies fall into two categories: experimental and observational .
What are the four methods of epidemiology?
Epidemiological investigations can be grouped into four broad categories: Observational epidemiology, experimental epidemiology, natural experiments, and Theoretical epidemiology . Several types study designs and measures of relationship are used in these investigations.
What are the aims and objectives of epidemiology?
The principal aim of epidemiology is to identify factors related to the occurrence of disease . Identification of these factors both causal ( causation) and risk factors, enable developing a rational basis for prevention ( epidemiology, prevention).
Which is the most powerful epidemiological study?
Randomized, controlled clinical trials are the most powerful designs possible in medical research, but they are often expensive and time-consuming. Well-designed observational studies can provide useful insights on disease causation, even though they do not constitute proof of causes.
