Epidemiology is the study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why. Epidemiological information is used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent illness and as a guide to the management of patients in whom disease has already developed.
What is the importance of epidemiology in the prevention and control of a disease?
When a disease occurs in a population, epidemiologists help us to understand where the disease is coming from, and who it is most likely to impact . The information gathered can then be used to control the spread of the disease and prevent future outbreaks.
What is the role of epidemiology in disease prevention?
Analytic epidemiology uses observational or experimental studies to learn about the determinants (i.e., causes) of diseases in populations. These studies are essential to control disease outbreaks or design effective prevention and control programs.
What is the role 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 are the roles of epidemiology in public health?
Epidemiology is the study of disease in populations . ... Epidemiological methods are used for disease surveillance to identify which hazards are the most important. Epidemiological studies are also used to identify risk factors which may represent critical control points in the food production system.
What are the 3 major types of epidemiologic studies?
EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY DESIGNS
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 are the three components of epidemiology?
Among the simplest of these is the epidemiologic triad or triangle, the traditional model for infectious disease. The triad consists of an external agent, a susceptible host, and an environment that brings the host and agent together .
What are the 5 W’s of epidemiology?
The difference is that epidemiologists tend to use synonyms for the 5 W’s: diagnosis or health event (what), person (who), place (where), time (when), and causes, risk factors, and modes of transmission (why/how) .
What are the four uses of epidemiology?
For community diagnosis of the presence, nature and distribution of health and disease among the population , and the dimensions of these in incidence, prevalence, and mortality; taking into account that society is changing and health problems are changing. To study the workings of health services.
What are the main measures of epidemiology?
Incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates are three frequency measures that are used to characterize the occurrence of health events in a population.
Why is epidemiology so important?
The importance of epidemiology cannot be overstated. Epidemiology saves lives and improves global, long-term health . The aims of epidemiology are to prevent and reverse negative health outcomes, and the uses of epidemiology are most important for communities that experience a lot of poverty or instability.
What is an example of epidemiology?
The term epidemiology is now widely applied to cover the description and causation of not only epidemic, infectious disease, but of disease in general, including related conditions. Some examples of topics examined through epidemiology include as high blood pressure, mental illness and obesity .
What are the two types of epidemiology?
Epidemiologic studies fall into two categories: experimental and observational .
What is the difference between epidemiology and public health?
Epidemiology is a specific concentration within the public health field. ... They investigate concerning health trends and diseases affecting specific populations , while public health workers promote health and wellness within populations.
What is the role of epidemiology in Covid 19?
It helps us assess community health by finding out whether certain populations are at higher risk and whether health services are prepared to deal with health issues. It helps us identify risk factors that we can use to help individuals make good decisions about behavior (like hand washing or social distancing).
What is the strongest study design?
A well -designed randomized controlled trial , where feasible, is generally the strongest study design for evaluating an intervention’s effectiveness.
