Essay On Epidemiology

What is epidemiology? Describe the uses of this scientific discipline. Describe one of the major achievements of epidemiology described in lecture one in your own words.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events and disease, and the application of this study to prevention, control and mitigation of diseases and other health problems. It is the keystone of public health and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare. Epidemiology has helped to evolve methodology used in public health studies, clinical research and to a lesser extent, basic research in the biological sciences.

Types:

Epidemiologists handle a range of study designs

When a ten-year eradication programme was proposed by WHO in 1967, 10–15 million new cases and 2 million deaths were occurring annually in 31 countries. The number of countries reporting cases decreased rapidly in the period 1967–76; by 1976 smallpox was reported from only two countries, and the last naturally-occurring case of smallpox was reported in 1977 in a woman who had been exposed to the virus in a laboratory. Smallpox was declared to be eradicated on 08May1980.

Several factors contributed to the success of the programme: universal political commitment, a definite goal, a precise timetable, well-trained staff and a flexible strategy. Furthermore, the disease had many features that made its elimination possible and an effective heat-stable vaccine was available. In 1979, WHO maintained a stockpile of smallpox vaccines sufficient to vaccinate 200 million people. This stockpile was subsequently reduced to 2.5 million doses, but given renewed concern about smallpox being used as a biological weapon, WHO continues to maintain and ensure adequate vaccine