Objectives

• Define epidemiology and its purpose.

• Differentiate between types of epidemiological studies.

• Explain basic epidemiological terms.

Key Content

• Definition: The study of distribution and determinants of health-related events in populations.

• Uses: Identify causes of diseases, plan prevention strategies, evaluate interventions.

• Key Terms: Incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, morbidity.

• Types of Studies: Descriptive, analytical, experimental.

Summary
Epidemiology is the backbone of public health, enabling professionals to track diseases, identify risk factors, and measure the impact of interventions.

Review Questions

1. Define epidemiology in your own words.

2. List the three main types of epidemiological studies.