Principles of Epidemiology

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I. Basic Tenets of Epidemiology
Exercise 1. Patterns of Disease
I. Risks
II. Rates
III. Population at Risk
IV. The "Person-Place-Time" Model
V. The "Host-Agent-Environment" Model
VI. Epidemics
Suggested Responses
Exercise 2. Population at Risk
I. Age- and Cause-Specific Rates
II. Definition of the Term Population at Risk
III. Populations Useful in Identifying Epidemiologic Problems
IV. Cohort Analysis
Suggested Responses
Part II. Measurement
Exercise 3. Assessing Risk
I. Categories of Measurement
II. Misleading Numbers
III. Measurement of Morbidity, Mortality, and Natality
IV. Denominators: Using Midyear Population versus Person-Time Units
V. Standardization—Direct and Indirect Adjustment of Rates
VI. Relative Risk and Attributable Risk
VII. Definition of Formulas
Suggested Responses
Exercise 4. Presentation of Data
I. Methods for Presenting and Interpreting Health-Related Data
II. Improperly Prepared Graphs
III. Dividing Data into Categories
IV. Dependent and Independent Variables
Suggested Responses
Exercise 5. Classification Systems
I. Definition and Purpose of Classification
II. Clinical and Epidemiologic Classification of Diseases
III. The International Classification of Diseases
IV. Effect of Grouping on Interpretation of Data
V. Defining the Numerator: What is a Case?
Suggested Responses
Exercise 6. Screening for Disease
I. Definition of Screening
II. Sensitivity and Specificity
III. The Effect of Prevalence on Screening Test Results
IV. The Effect of Combinations of Tests
Suggested Responses
Part III. Epidemiologic Strategy
Exercise 7. Investigation of an Epidemic
I. Types of Epidemics
II. Mode of Transmission
III. Control Measures for Epidemics
IV. Outline for Epidemic Investigations
V. Investigation of a Food-Borne Epidemic
VI. Design of Epidemiologic Record Forms
Suggested Responses
Exercise 8. Etiology of Disease
I. Blindness X, a Noninfectious Disease
II. Cholera in London, 1854
Suggested Responses
Exercise 9. Principles of Causation
I. Concept of Causation
II. Historical Concepts of Causation
III. Epidemiologic Criteria of Causation. The Association between Smoking and Lung Cancer
Suggested Responses
Part IV. Study Design and Interpretation of Data
Exercise 10. Study Design in Epidemiologic Investigation
I. Identification of an Epidemiologic Problem and Formulation of a Research Question
II. Objectives of Epidemiologic Studies
III. Design of a Study: Identifying Advantages and Limitations
IV. Considerations in the Design of Epidemiologic Investigations: Selecting Alternatives
Suggested Responses
Exercise 11. Problems in the Design or Presentation of Data of Epidemiologic Studies
I. Comparability of Case and Comparison (Control) Groups
II. Period of Exposure to Risk
III. Volunteers
IV. Associations, Correlations, and Trends
V. Inferences Derived in the Absence of a Population at Risk
Suggested Responses
Exercise 12. Bias in Epidemiologic Investigations
I. Definition of Bias
II. Berkson's Bias
III. Attrition Bias
IV. Sources of Bias
V. Avoiding Bias
VI. Examples of Biased Data
Suggested Responses
Exercise 13. Evaluation of Epidemiologic Reports
I. Outline for Evaluating an Epidemiologic Report
II. Reports to be Evaluated
Suggested Responses
Exercise 14. Uses and Applications of Epidemiology
I. Who Needs Epidemiology?
II. Surveillance
III. Risk Factors and Prevention of Disease
IV. Epidemiology in Health Services Research
Suggested Responses
Appendix I. Bibliography of Readings in Epidemiology and Public Health
Appendix II. Suggested Examination Questions for Coursework Evaluation