Deck 16: Epidemiology As a Profession

Question 1

Define the following terms:
a. Pharmacoepidemiology
b. Neuroepidemiology
c. Oral/dental epidemiology
d. Renal epidemiology
e. Veterinary epidemiology

Answer 1

(a)Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the effects and utilizations of drugs in a distinct populace.(b)Neuroepidemiology is an epidemiology stem concerning the analysis of neurological malady distribution and frequency determinants in the human populace.(c)In Oral/Dental Epidemiology , researchers analyze the indicators affecting the progress of widespread oral/dental impediments.
(d)Renal epidemiology comprises malady circumstances of the renal system like acute and chronic kidney diseases, nephritis, and kidney stones.
(e)Veterinary epidemiology handles investigation of maladies, productivity, and animal wellbeing in the populace.

Question 2

Conduct a search of the websites of your local and state health departments regarding activities in epidemiology. Then log on to the websites for the following national and international agencies. Describe how an epidemiologist might contribute to the following employment settings:
a. A local health department
b. A state government health agency, such as a state department of health services
c. A federal health agency; examples include:
i. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ii. Environmental Protection Agency
iii. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
iv. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
v. Food and Drug Administration
d. An international agency; examples include:
i. World Health Organization
ii. Pan American Health Organization
iii. The European Union Health Organization

Answer 2

An epidemiologist has significant contributions to different levels of the health sector.
(a)In a local health department, epidemiologists are responsible for aiding the team that handles communicable disease control and management.
(b)In a state government health agency, epidemiologists:
• Analyze data utilizing statistical models
• Review existing scientific journalism
• Establish positive relations with stakeholders and clients to edify the populace
(c)In a federal health agency, epidemiologists:
• Conduct field, theoretical, and lab investigations
• Evaluate human populace and isolate inducing indicators like pollution
• Supervise broad-scale interdisciplinary schemes over protracted timeframes
• Prop up strategic ingenuities for wellness and health
(d)In an international agency, epidemiologists:
• Provide constructive data and discussion to external and internal parties
• Use computer-modeling strategies to evaluate the potential magnitude of ailment and health fluctuations in a given populace
• Publish the consequences of workgroup research and in the larger community

Question 3

An epidemiologist has been awarded a large grant to conduct a cohort study on the health of a minority population. What ethical issues might arise in carrying out this research project?

Answer 3

A cohort study is a quasi-experiment in a longitudinal study form. It is commonly a type of observational analysis utilized in psychology, nursing, and medicine. It is habitually performed in the majority of the populace.The minority populace is considered vulnerable in terms of research participation. The notion of vulnerability is utilized in research ethics to indicate that those branded as "vulnerable" necessitate supplementary protections over and atop the customary securities offered to research participants.

Question 4

Describe how the employment responsibilities might differ among individuals trained at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

Question 5

How do the employment roles of epidemiologists differ from those of other public health professionals? An example of an area in which an epidemiologist might specialize is in the design of research studies. How would the epidemiologist's contributions to a research study be different from those of other public health professionals?

Question 6

Refer to the resources provided for finding employment opportunities in epidemiology. Access an active website and identify five current employment openings in the field. Describe what these opportunities involve.

Question 7

Professional networking is a key aspect of obtaining employment in a professional field. Using your own ideas, describe how you might establish a personal network of epidemiologic professional who could facilitate your search for employment opportunities.

Question 8

Invite an epidemiologist (perhaps a graduate of your program) to your class and request that the individual describe his or her job responsibilities.

Question 9

Arrange a field visit to a health-related agency that is located in your community. An example might be a public health department, nonprofit health-related organization, or research institute. Find out about how epidemiologists contribute to these settings.