The study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations, to seek the causes of both health and disease.
Epidemiologist—a medical detective who links observed problems with potential causes, to arrive at a diagnosis and design and implement a mitigating response.
Epidemiology is the one science unique to public health.
•Based on two Greek words for epidemic (“epis,” which means ‘on, or akin to’ and “demos,” which means ‘people’).
•Based on two Greek words for epidemic (“epis,” which means ‘on, or akin to’ and “demos,” which means ‘people’).
Used to study infectious diseases and many chronic
diseases and conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and birth defects.
•The epidemiologist tries to identify causes of disease to limit their spread, provide the correct treatment to those affected, and prevent future occurrences.
•The epidemiologist tries to identify causes of disease to limit their spread, provide the correct treatment to those affected, and prevent future occurrences.
The goal of the epidemiological investigation is to:
1.Identify the source of the infection.
2.Identify the mode of transmission.
3.Identify the pattern of spread.
4.Help identify the responsible agent in the laboratory.
5.Help treat the ill and prevent further infection.
- In investigating disease and injury, epidemiologists identify the agent, host, and environment in order to understand how a disease or injury is caused and how it might be stopped or prevented.
- HEALTH is the equilibrium among the Agent-Host-Environment.
- Describe examples of disease and injury in this context or use next slide.
Demonstrate how agent host
environment triangle works.
•Human – host, agent = Polio virus, environment = water,
beaches (fecal-oral or person to-person)
•Automobile accidents Agent = transfer of energy
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