Question

Discuss the applications of epidemiology in Health Science Research with appropriate references.

Answer 1

Ans) 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.

- Epidemiology is not viewed as a ‘true’ science.

Among the many reasons why its scientific significance is sometimes trivialised is its intersection with the so-called ‘soft’ sciences, which have traditionally been thought of as less exact than other disciplines because of their focus on variables that are complex and difficult to quantify, such as human behaviours and interactions.

- Increasingly, epidemiology is the key to understanding the impact of climate change on disease burden through the effect of temperature, humidity and seasonality on infectious disease dynamics, and the expansion of the ranges of disease vectors. Unlikely to be an isolated case, the State of Texas has reported transmission or outbreaks of Ebola, chikungunya, West Nile, and Zika virus infections within the past 5 years, and this is believed to be attributed to both climate change and rapid population expansion and urbanisation.

Answer 2

Ans) Epidemiology: The branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

- Epidemiology data collected by epidemiologist influence, consciously or unconsciously, everyday decisions by many people (examples: quit smoking, clime stairs instead of elevator, which food to eat, whether to use a condom). Epidemiology factors:

- Homicide and suicide rates
- Infant mortality rate
- Chronic and infectious diseases
- Drug and alcohol abuse rates
- Teen pregnancy rates
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Birth rate

- Air pollution from stationary and mobile sources
- Access to parks/recreational facilities
- Availability of clean water
- Availability of markers that supply healthful groceries
- Number of liquor stores and fast-food outlets
- Nutritional quality of foods and beverages vended to school-children

Epidemiologists continue to search for clues as to the causes infectious and chronic diseases
Knowledge that is acquired may be helpful in efforts to prevent the occurrence.

Answer 3

Ans) Epidemiology: The branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

- Epidemiology data collected by epidemiologist influence, consciously or unconsciously, everyday decisions by many people (examples: quit smoking, clime stairs instead of elevator, which food to eat, whether to use a condom).

- Epidemiology factors:

Homicide and suicide rates
Infant mortality rate
Chronic and infectious diseases
Drug and alcohol abuse rates
Teen pregnancy rates
Sexually transmitted diseases
Birth rate

Air pollution from stationary and mobile sources
Access to parks/recreational facilities
Availability of clean water
Availability of markers that supply healthful groceries
Number of liquor stores and fast-food outlets
Nutritional quality of foods and beverages vended to school-children

Epidemiologists continue to search for clues as to the causes infectious and chronic diseases
Knowledge that is acquired may be helpful in efforts to prevent the occurrence.