200 likes | 464 Views
Epidemiology and Public Health Introduction, Part II. Changing Patterns of Community Health . Health patterns in constant state of flux Infectious versus chronic diseases Population and age-related. Chain of Infection. Etiological agent Source/Reservoir Portal of exit
E N D
Changing Patterns of Community Health • Health patterns in constant state of flux • Infectious versus chronic diseases • Population and age-related
Chain of Infection • Etiological agent • Source/Reservoir • Portal of exit • Mode of transmission • Portal of entry • Susceptible host
Modes of Transmission • Contact transmission • Vehicle transmission • Vector transmission
Classes of Epidemics • Common source (vs. sporadic) • Point source • Intermittent • Continuous • Propagated Your Assignment: Define these terms & identify which apply to the following three graphs
Disease Investigation • Establish diagnosis • Identify specific agent • Describe according to person, place and time • Identify source of agent • Identify mode of transmission • Identify susceptible populations
Epidemiology and Clinical Practice • Clinical practice dependent on epidemiology • Epidemiology defines natural history of disease • Even descriptive information is useful
The Epidemiologic Approach • Multistep process • First - determine association • Then prove causation • Not all associations are causal • Examine validity, false assumptions- • e.g. - fluoride in water
Analytic Studies • Type of study • Design • Analysis of data
Epidemiology and Prevention • Identify high risk populations • Modify risks • Prevent exposures
Levels of Prevention • Primary • Secondary • Tertiary
Levels of Prevention (cont’d) • Primary • Involves halting any occurrence of a disease or disorder before it happens
Levels of Prevention (cont’d) • Secondary • Health screening and detection activities
Levels of Prevention (cont’d) • Tertiary • Retard or block the progression of condition