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Public health workers use epidemiologic principles as the foundation for disease surveillance and investigation activities. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems. Every public health worker should be familiar with the basic principles in this definition and how they are useful.
Disease surveillance usually begins with descriptive epidemiology -- defining the what, who, when and where of health-related events.
The Primary Applications of Epidemiology in Public HealthTo set policy and plan programs, public health officials must assess the health of the population they serve and must determine whether health services are available, accessible, effective and efficient. Epidemiology provides data for directing public health action. The information is used when planning how to control and prevent disease in the community. Through public health surveillance, a health systematically collects, analyzes, interprets and disseminates health data on an ongoing basis. By knowing the ongoing pattern of disease occurrence and disease potential, a health agency can effectively and efficiently investigate, prevent and control disease in the community. Uses of Epidemiology
Purposes of Communicable Disease Investigation and General Principles of Preventing TransmissionIntroductionThese guidelines have been written to assist public health staff engaged in investigating communicable diseases. Their intent is to provide basic, practical, up-to-date and easy-to-understand information which has been coalesced and interpreted from a variety of sources. These guidelines have been written as carefully as possible to balance the amount of work necessary to follow up a reported case against the probability of controlling spread of the disease. Only certain diseases are included in these guidelines. This is based upon their frequency and complexity. For further information about these and other diseases, consult Control of Communicable Diseases in Man. Remember, these are only guidelines. All situations differ and best judgment should prevail. Some situations require a more stringent approach. Some require a less stringent approach. Purposes of Communicable Disease InvestigationNothing is less self-fulfilling than going through the motions of a task without understanding its purpose. When investigating a report of communicable disease, always keep in mind the purposes are to:
General Principles of Preventing TransmissionThis section describes how cases and contacts can be managed to prevent transmission. Case Management
Contact Management
General Guidelines for Outbreak InvestigationsThe first action of a health agency when it receives a report of a case or a cluster of cases of a disease is to investigate. The investigation may be anything from a limited phone call to confirm reported information, or it may be as extensive as a field investigation coordinating the efforts of many people to determine the extent and cause of a large outbreak. Outbreaks may be detected when routine, timely analysis of surveillance data reveals an increase in reported cases or an unusual clustering of cases. In South Carolina, for example, the weekly tabulation of disease reports by county is a useful way to monitor trends, evaluate geographical distribution throughout the state and identify possible clusters. Why Do We Investigate Outbreaks?The health agency has a responsibility to institute control and prevention measures. Outbreak investigations may be considered as opportunities to study disease events and are training exercises for those conducting the investigation. If cases are continuing to occur, the goal may be to prevent additional cases. If an outbreak appears to be almost over, the goal may be to prevent outbreaks in the future. The objective here would be to identify factors which contributed to the outbreak to implement measures that would prevent serious outbreaks in the future. Other concerns like public relations, political concerns and legal obligations may also need to be considered. Steps in the Investigation
Data Collection Guidelines
What is the study of the causes distribution and control of diseases in populations multiple choice question?Epidemiology is the study of the determinants, occurrence, and distribution of health and disease in a defined population. Infection is the replication of organisms in host tissue, which may cause disease.
What is the study of disease and disease process is called?Pathology is the study of disease. It is the bridge between science and medicine. It underpins every aspect of patient care, from diagnostic testing and treatment advice to using cutting-edge genetic technologies and preventing disease. Doctors and scientists working in pathology are experts in illness and disease.
What is an epidemiological study?Epidemiologic studies are the foundation for disease control and prevention through tracking the prevalence of the disease, characterizing the natural history, and identifying determinants or causes of the disease. . It defines risk factors for a disease and targets for preventive medicine.
What is epidemiology and disease control?Epidemiology is the “study of distribution and determinants of health-related states among specified populations and the application of that study to the control of health problems.” — A Dictionary of Epidemiology. These materials provide an overview of epidemiology investigations, methods, and data collection.
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