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 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 assumptionse.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 (contd)

Primary
Involves halting any occurrence of a disease or disorder before it happens

Levels of Prevention (contd)

Secondary
Health screening and detection activities

Levels of Prevention (contd)

Tertiary
Retard or block the progression of condition