Epidemiology Paper- Part One, Two& Three
Grand Canyon University: DNP-825
, Epidemiology Paper | Part 1
The word epidemiology is derivative of the Greek words“epi”, which means on or upon,
“demos”, which means people and “logos” which means the study of. Therefore, epidemiology
can be described as the study of what affects groupings of people. According to new research by
Childers (2020), “epidemiology is the study of the emergence, distribution and control of
disease, disability and death among populations” (p. 1).It is used to find and address health
problem related patterns and to aid in improvingthe health of all. Epidemiology is a multi-
discipline fieldthat includes a combination of various sciences including biology, clinical
medicine, sociology, mathematics and ecology.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), in the original study
of epidemiology, a causation model existed and was referred to as the epidemiologic triad (p. 1).
This model indicates that there are three factors that contribute to a disease cause; the agent, the
host and the environment. The agent refers to an infectious organism, injury or chemical and
physical factors which must be present for the disease to occur. Secondly, the host is the human
who can get this disease and it is important to note that human beings are affected by a variety of
intrinsic risk factors. Thirdly, the environment can be considered the extrinsic factor that has a
direct impact on the agent and creates the opportunity for exposure. While this model did not
work comprehensively with non-communicable diseases, it is important to note, that the issue of
risk factors still exist today and disease prevention can be as simple as blocking the specific risk
component.
Explanation of Descriptive Epidemiology Using Theories and Concepts
Epidemiology was originally focused exclusively on epidemics of communicable
diseases;however, the study was changed over time to include endemic communicable and non-
, communicable diseases. Epidemiology is often considereda basic science of Public Health due to
certain factors. Epidemiology is reliant on the knowledge of probability, statistics and
comprehensive research methods and is firstly considered a quantitative discipline. According
toMohamed (2017), “epidemiology is secondly considered is a method of causal reasoning based
on developing and testing hypotheses grounded in such scientific fields as biology, behavioral
sciences, physics, and ergonomics to explain health-related behaviors, states, and events” (p.
116). Therefore, epidemiology is a significant factor of Public Health and should not be
considered as just research. This field provides the framework, based on reasoning and science,
for a direct and practical approach to public health action.
Descriptive Epidemiology is an unbiased systematic methodology used to organize and
analyze data in the study of disease variation and frequency amongst a particular population. As
such, descriptive epidemiology can be used to generate hypotheses of etiologic research. To
apply epidemiology into clinical practice, descriptive epidemiological methods must be
implemented. Descriptive epidemiological methodologies analyze data on person, place, and
occurrences.
Epidemiology focuses on both the frequency and the pattern of health events within a
specific population. Frequency is the number of health events and how it relates to the population
size, resulting in the determination of the rate of disease occurrence within different populations.
On the other hand, pattern refers to the occurrence of health events in relation to the location,
time frame, and individuals effected. Time in this case can be hourly, daily, weekly, monthly
etc., whichever would have a direct impact on disease occurrence. Place would be considered the
geographical area while person refers to demographic factors that may be related to the disease
risk such as age, sex, socioeconomic status and behavior.
Grand Canyon University: DNP-825
, Epidemiology Paper | Part 1
The word epidemiology is derivative of the Greek words“epi”, which means on or upon,
“demos”, which means people and “logos” which means the study of. Therefore, epidemiology
can be described as the study of what affects groupings of people. According to new research by
Childers (2020), “epidemiology is the study of the emergence, distribution and control of
disease, disability and death among populations” (p. 1).It is used to find and address health
problem related patterns and to aid in improvingthe health of all. Epidemiology is a multi-
discipline fieldthat includes a combination of various sciences including biology, clinical
medicine, sociology, mathematics and ecology.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), in the original study
of epidemiology, a causation model existed and was referred to as the epidemiologic triad (p. 1).
This model indicates that there are three factors that contribute to a disease cause; the agent, the
host and the environment. The agent refers to an infectious organism, injury or chemical and
physical factors which must be present for the disease to occur. Secondly, the host is the human
who can get this disease and it is important to note that human beings are affected by a variety of
intrinsic risk factors. Thirdly, the environment can be considered the extrinsic factor that has a
direct impact on the agent and creates the opportunity for exposure. While this model did not
work comprehensively with non-communicable diseases, it is important to note, that the issue of
risk factors still exist today and disease prevention can be as simple as blocking the specific risk
component.
Explanation of Descriptive Epidemiology Using Theories and Concepts
Epidemiology was originally focused exclusively on epidemics of communicable
diseases;however, the study was changed over time to include endemic communicable and non-
, communicable diseases. Epidemiology is often considereda basic science of Public Health due to
certain factors. Epidemiology is reliant on the knowledge of probability, statistics and
comprehensive research methods and is firstly considered a quantitative discipline. According
toMohamed (2017), “epidemiology is secondly considered is a method of causal reasoning based
on developing and testing hypotheses grounded in such scientific fields as biology, behavioral
sciences, physics, and ergonomics to explain health-related behaviors, states, and events” (p.
116). Therefore, epidemiology is a significant factor of Public Health and should not be
considered as just research. This field provides the framework, based on reasoning and science,
for a direct and practical approach to public health action.
Descriptive Epidemiology is an unbiased systematic methodology used to organize and
analyze data in the study of disease variation and frequency amongst a particular population. As
such, descriptive epidemiology can be used to generate hypotheses of etiologic research. To
apply epidemiology into clinical practice, descriptive epidemiological methods must be
implemented. Descriptive epidemiological methodologies analyze data on person, place, and
occurrences.
Epidemiology focuses on both the frequency and the pattern of health events within a
specific population. Frequency is the number of health events and how it relates to the population
size, resulting in the determination of the rate of disease occurrence within different populations.
On the other hand, pattern refers to the occurrence of health events in relation to the location,
time frame, and individuals effected. Time in this case can be hourly, daily, weekly, monthly
etc., whichever would have a direct impact on disease occurrence. Place would be considered the
geographical area while person refers to demographic factors that may be related to the disease
risk such as age, sex, socioeconomic status and behavior.
