Fellow

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology
Dankmar B¨hning o Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Reading, UK

Summer School in Cesme, May/June 2011

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology
Outline

What is Epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the study of the determinants, distribution, and frequency of disease (who gets the disease and why) epidemiologists study sick people epidemiologists study healthy people to determine the crucial difference between those who get the disease and those who are spared epidemiologists study exposed people epidemiologists study non-exposed people to determine the crucial effect of the exposure

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology
Outline

What is Epidemiology? Last’s dictionary gives a detailed definition:
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems.

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology
Outline

Uses of Epidemiology to determine, describe, and report on the natural course of disease, disability, injury, and death to aid in the planning and development of health services and programs to provide administrative and planning data

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology
Outline

Uses of Epidemiology to study the cause (or etiology) of disease(s), or conditions, disorders, disabilities, etc. to determine the primary agent responsible or ascertain causative factors to determine the characteristics of the agent or causative factors to determine the mode of transmission to determine contributing factors to identify and determine geographic patterns

Lecture 1: Introduction to Epidemiology
Outline

Purpose of Epidemiology to provide a basis for developing disease control and prevention measures for groups at risk this translates into developing measures to prevent or control
disease

References: Böhning, D., Dietz, E., Schlattmann, P., Mendonca, L. and Kirchner, U. (1999) The Zero-Inflated Poisson Model and the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index in Dental Epidemiology Breslow, N.E. and Day, N.E. (1987). Statistical Methods in Cancer Research. Volume II - The Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies Mendonça, L. (1995). Longitudinalstudie zu kariespräventiven Methoden, durchgeführt bei 7- bis 10-jährigen urbanen Kindern in Belo Horizonte (Brasilien) Mendonça, L. and Böhning, D. (1994). Die Auswirkung von Gesundheitsunterricht und Mundspülung mit Na-Fluorid auf die Prävention von Zahnkaries: eine Kohortenstudie mit urbanen Kindern in Brasilien Pilz, M.E.W. (1985). Praxis der Zahnerhaltung und Oralen Prävention. Munich: Hanser.