Discussion Topic 1
Epidemiology helps in determining the risk factors and protective factors for a given human population or animals. It specifies how, when, and where infection(s) might occur. Epidemiological data shows the correlation of risk factors with incidences of disease in the population exposed to the risk factor (Van der Heide et al., 2017).
Also, epidemiological data shows the incidence and prevalence rates, thereby shaping disease control. They influence changes in healthcare by promoting the implementation of protective strategies for a specific illness. Consequently, epidemiology data guides community interventions and allows the integral management of infections, both communally and individually. This leads to preventive medicine. Epidemiological data required to make changes in healthcare practice are the distribution (pattern, frequency), location, and determinants (risk factors and causes) (Pederson, Alma, et al, 2017).
References
Pedersen, Alma B et al. “Missing data and multiple imputation in clinical, epidemiological research.” Clinical epidemiology vol. 9 157-166. 15 Mar. 2017, doi:10.2147/CLEP.S129785
van der Heijde, D., Deodhar, A., Wei, J. C., Drescher, E., Fleishaker, D., Hendrikx, T., … & Tanaka, Y. (2017). Clinical and epidemiological research., D., Deodhar, A., Wei, J. C., Drescher, E., Fleishaker, D., Hendrikx, T., … & Tanaka, Y. (2017). Clinical and epidemiological research.