Epidemiology Paper
Epidemiology Paper
NUR/408
July 23, 2012
Abstract
Epidemiology is viewed as the fundamental science of public health and is key in endorsing optimal health in the community as a whole (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Epidemiologic study and practice continues to reform public health and endeavors to prevent disease in communities across the world. This paper will address through descriptive epidemiology, the rising disease of obesity and will focus on the teen and adolescent population of the United States. This paper will also define and discuss the purpose of epidemiology, the methods of the science, the epidemiological triangle, and the relationship of the disease to various levels of prevention.
Epidemiology
“Epidemiology has been defined as ‘the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related states or events in specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such states, and the application of this knowledge to control the health problems’…Like public health nursing, epidemiology is a complex and continually evolving field with a common focus: the optimal health for all members of all communities, local and global” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Epidemiology isn’t simply the study of health of a given population but incorporates evidence based practice in the community setting and application of its findings in relation to disease prevalence in the particular population. It is a vital element to public health and the over-all health of society in general. Its primary purpose is to discover the cause of diseases that affect the studied population. “Epidemiologists investigate the distribution or patterns of health events in populations in order to characterize health outcomes in terms of what, who, where, when, how, and why: What is the outcome? Who is affected? Where are they? When do events occur?” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). The findings of the research aide public health professionals in assessment and
NUR/408
July 23, 2012
Abstract
Epidemiology is viewed as the fundamental science of public health and is key in endorsing optimal health in the community as a whole (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Epidemiologic study and practice continues to reform public health and endeavors to prevent disease in communities across the world. This paper will address through descriptive epidemiology, the rising disease of obesity and will focus on the teen and adolescent population of the United States. This paper will also define and discuss the purpose of epidemiology, the methods of the science, the epidemiological triangle, and the relationship of the disease to various levels of prevention.
Epidemiology
“Epidemiology has been defined as ‘the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related states or events in specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such states, and the application of this knowledge to control the health problems’…Like public health nursing, epidemiology is a complex and continually evolving field with a common focus: the optimal health for all members of all communities, local and global” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Epidemiology isn’t simply the study of health of a given population but incorporates evidence based practice in the community setting and application of its findings in relation to disease prevalence in the particular population. It is a vital element to public health and the over-all health of society in general. Its primary purpose is to discover the cause of diseases that affect the studied population. “Epidemiologists investigate the distribution or patterns of health events in populations in order to characterize health outcomes in terms of what, who, where, when, how, and why: What is the outcome? Who is affected? Where are they? When do events occur?” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). The findings of the research aide public health professionals in assessment and
References: AACAP. (2011, March). Obesity in children and teens. Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teens Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2011).Childhood obesity. Retrieved from http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ CDC. (2011, March 28). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/causes/economics.html Overweight Teen. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.overweightteen.com/ PAMF Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. World Health Organization. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood/en/