Question

◦ Explain applications of epidemiology for the study of infectious disease, environmental health, chronic disease, psychological and social factors in health, and molecular and genetic studies.

Answer 1

The word epidemiology comes from the Greek words epi, meaning on, demos, meaning people, & logos, meaning the study of.

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution & determinants of health-related events in particular populations, having application to the control of health problems.

Epidemiology has its application to study certain infectious disease and the responsible cause of the disease, the prevalence of disease.

At the same time the cause of disease is investigated and if it is type of communicable disease then the extra precautions required.

It is playing an important role on environmental health as there is consideration of various environmental factors as these ultimately influence people’s health and wellbeing. Furthermore it includes individual, social, and environmental/community behavior and social influences on health.

It also includes the study of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, AIDS and so many chronic conditions.

In this all the aspects are covered along with the public awareness towards such problems and interventions to control these chronic diseases.

At the same time to improve dietary habits and lifestyle suggestions are also included.

Furthermore the study of various psychological and social factors with respect to health is also conducted. As it has the major influence in the population and their health status.

Hence epidemiological study also covers these factors.

At the last the significance of epidemiology also includes the consideration of molecular and genetic studies.

In this the molecular physiology as well as genetic factors is studies on large scale to determine what molecular factors are responsible for which disease and how to control that

At the last as per one disease one genet theory it is well clear that for a particular disease there is certain gene responsible for that so the study of genetic factor is a crucial path in epidemiological study.

Hence we can conclude that the epidemiological study is very diverse and complex study for the study of disease in a population.

It is very beneficial to study the heath status of a particular community and to enhance or improve quality of life by working on the vital factors.

ALL THE BEST.