Determinates Of Epidemiology
1. What is epidemiology?
Epidemiology is defined as ‘the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related events, states, and processes in specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such processes, and the application of this knowledge to control relevant health problems.’ (Porta 2014, p. 95). This essentially mean that epidemiology is the study of population health and in turn the discussion of how to improve health.
2. What are the critical aspects of epidemiology for understanding health from a public health perspective?
These has become an increasing concern that epidemiology has begun to transgress from a population to a more individual focus. It is argued that epidemiology should place a much stronger emphasis on the “determinates of health” (social, economic, environmental and cultural determinates of population health). In doing so epidemiology will be able to more directly understand and positively influence public health, through not only discovering the causes of health issues, but equally the determinates and how to eradicate/improve them. Along with this epidemiology should “contribute to, and be designed for, public health …show more content…
For example, John Snow conducted on of the first epidemiological investigations in 1883-1884. Snow was faced with the significant health issue of cholera in London during 1848-49, and so in turn drew up maps indicating the areas of cholera outbreaks. In doing so, Snow was able to trace the main determinates of cholera back to the drinking water of towns. As a result, Snow was able to remove the compromised water and ultimately, significantly decrease the number of cholera outbreaks from then on. Snow is just one example of the epidemiology pioneers that have significantly contributed to and are continuing to contribute to public
Epidemiology is defined as ‘the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related events, states, and processes in specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such processes, and the application of this knowledge to control relevant health problems.’ (Porta 2014, p. 95). This essentially mean that epidemiology is the study of population health and in turn the discussion of how to improve health.
2. What are the critical aspects of epidemiology for understanding health from a public health perspective?
These has become an increasing concern that epidemiology has begun to transgress from a population to a more individual focus. It is argued that epidemiology should place a much stronger emphasis on the “determinates of health” (social, economic, environmental and cultural determinates of population health). In doing so epidemiology will be able to more directly understand and positively influence public health, through not only discovering the causes of health issues, but equally the determinates and how to eradicate/improve them. Along with this epidemiology should “contribute to, and be designed for, public health …show more content…
For example, John Snow conducted on of the first epidemiological investigations in 1883-1884. Snow was faced with the significant health issue of cholera in London during 1848-49, and so in turn drew up maps indicating the areas of cholera outbreaks. In doing so, Snow was able to trace the main determinates of cholera back to the drinking water of towns. As a result, Snow was able to remove the compromised water and ultimately, significantly decrease the number of cholera outbreaks from then on. Snow is just one example of the epidemiology pioneers that have significantly contributed to and are continuing to contribute to public