Question

Epidemiologists are concerned with population growth as it relates to potential healthcare issues.

Why do rates and measures of population change use the “total mid-year population” instead of the “end-of-year population?”

What makes one measurement more effective than the other?

Choose a real or a hypothetical example to explain how using the “end-of-year population” affects data collection and outcomes.

Compose an essay addressing the topics above. You must format your paper in accordance with APA guidelines.stryer

It should be 3 pages in length and include support from the required readings, and at least one outside source.

Managerial Epidemiology Cases and Concepts - 180 Day Option, 3rd Edition
Steven T. Fleming

Answer 1

Basic measurements of epidemiology:

Epidemiology focuses, among other things on the measurement of mortality and morbidity in human populations. The first requirement is, therefore, definition of what is to be measured and the establishment of criteria or standards by which it can be measured. This is not only a prerequisite of epidemiological studies but also one of its goal. The clinical may not require a precise definition of the diseases (e.g a migraine) for immediate patient care, but the epidemiologist needs a definition (a) that is acceptable and applicable to its use in large populations; and (b) that is precise and valid, to enable him to identify those who have the disease from those who do not. Clear definitions help to minimize errors in the classification of data. Standardized methods of observation and recording are therefore essential before commencing any epidemiological study.

Rates and Measures:

A rate measures the occurrence of some particular event (development of the disease or the occurrence of death) in a population during a given period time. It indicates the change in population over a period of time. The basic requirements of measurements are validity, reliability, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Mid-Year Population:

Because the population size changes daily due to births, deaths, and migration, the mid-year population is commonly chosen as a denominator. The mid-point refers to the population estimated as on the first July of a year. So the epidemiologists use the mid-year population rather than the end-of-year.

Making Comparisons:

The basic approach in epidemiology is to make comparisons and draw interferences. This may be the comparison of two (or more groups) -one group having the disease or exposed to the risk factor and other groups not having the disease or exposed to the risk factor. By making comparisons, the epidemiologists try to find out the crucial differences in the host and environmental factors.

Both the groups should be similar so that "like can be compared with like". For facts to be compared they must accurate and they must be gathered in a uniform way. For example, the study and control groups should be similar with regard to their age and sex composition.

End-of-Year population affects data collection and outcomes:

This is an important concept in epidemiology because it focuses on groups at risk of disease rather than on individuals. End of year population is applied to all those to whom an event could have happened or not. For example, if we are determining the rate of accidents for a town, the population at risk is all the people. But sometimes, it may be necessary to exclude people they are not at risk. In food poisoning, only those ate the food are at risk of becoming ill.