What does epidemiology mean in science?
Epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (patient is community, individuals viewed collectively), and the application of (since …
What does epidemiology mean in simple terms?
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 epidemiologic factors?
1: Epidemiologic Factors Events, characteristics, or other definable entities that have the potential to bring about a change in a health condition or other defined outcome.
What is an epidemiologic population?
Epidemiology is a population science in several senses. First, it studies populations’ disease patterns, which are hugely influenced by the interaction of individuals living in communities. Secondly, it depends heavily upon demographic population data to achieve its goals.
What are the major types of epidemiologic studies?
Epidemiological studies generally fall into four broad categories:
- cross-sectional studies.
- case-control studies.
- cohort studies.
- intervention studies.
What are the main purposes 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 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.
How is epidemiology related to other scientific fields?
However, epidemiology also draws on methods from other scientific fields, including biostatistics and informatics, with biologic, economic, social, and behavioral sciences. In fact, epidemiology is often described as the basic science of public health, and for good reason.
What do you mean by frequency in epidemiology?
Epidemiology is concerned with the frequency and pattern of health events in a population. Frequency includes not only the number of such events in a population, but also the rate or risk of disease in the population.
What is the definition of sporadic in epidemiology?
While some diseases are so rare in a given population that a single case warrants an epidemiologic investigation (e.g., rabies, plague, polio), other diseases occur more commonly so that only deviations from the norm warrant investigation. Sporadic refers to a disease that occurs infrequently and irregularly.
How does epidemiology relate to the definition of disorder?
Also, many epidemiological estimates try to determine how the number of people affected by a disorder changes over time. The definition of a disorder also tends to change over time, however, making estimates more difficult.
