Epidemiological Terms Health Status – the pattern of health of the population over a period of time Epidemiology – the study of illness and disease in groups or populations through the collection of data and information, to identify patterns and causes.

Epidemiological Terms Prevalence - the number of cases of illness or disease that exist in a population Incidence - the number of new cases of illness or disease occurring in a defined population over a given period of time.

Role of Epidemiology Epidemiology considers patterns of disease in terms of: Prevalence – the number of cases of a disease in a population at a specific time Incidence – the number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population

Role of Epidemiology Epidemiology considers patterns of disease in terms of: Distribution – the extent Apparent causes – determinants and indicators ie risk factors

Role of Epidemiology Epidemiology commonly uses statistics on: Births Deaths Disease incidence Disease prevalence Contact with health-care providers

Role of Epidemiology Epidemiology commonly uses statistics on: Hospital use – treatment received in hospitals for medical problems Injury incidence Work days lost Money spent on health care

What Can Epidemiology Tell Us? Epidemiological data helps researchers and health authorities to: Monitor major causes of sickness and death to identify emerging issues Describe and compare the patterns of health of groups, communities and populations and identify inequalities between these groups

What Can Epidemiology Tell Us? Epidemiological data helps researchers and health authorities to: Identify health needs so that specific prevention and treatment interventions can be specifically targeted Allocate health-care resources accordingly

What Can Epidemiology Tell Us? Epidemiological data helps researchers and health authorities to: Monitor the use of health care services and facilities Evaluate the effectiveness of health behaviours and strategies to control and prevent disease

What Can Epidemiology Tell Us? Epidemiological data helps researchers and health authorities to: Identify and promote behaviours that can improve the health status of the overall population, such as eating less fat and more fibre

Who uses Epidemiology? Policy developers at all levels of government Non government organisations eg Cancer Council & Heart Foundation The manufacturers of health products The providers of health services Individual consumers

Measures of Epidemiology? Mortality Rate – a measure of the number of deaths from a specific cause in a given period of time (usually a year) Infant Mortality Rate – a measure of the annual number of deaths of children under 1 year of age per 1,000 live births

Measures of Epidemiology? Morbidity Rate – the level of disease in a given population. The main indicators used are incidence and prevalence Life Expectancy – The average number of years a person of a given age and gender can expect to live.

Health Status Trends? Mortality Decreased Whilst more people die on average due to the large increase in the size of the population, the crude death rate has fallen. More males than females die each year.

Health Status Trends? Infant Mortality Decreased Has halved in the last 20 years. Rates are higher for males than for females. The largest decline in the rate is due to reduction in deaths from SIDS.

Health Status Trends? Morbidity Morbidity rates are decreasing for most major health conditions (or at least occurring later in peoples lives). When major health conditions do occur, the survival rates are improving (eg cancers, CVD). There is evidence of an increase in diabetes and mental health problems

Health Status Trends? Life Expectancy Increasing Australians can expect to live on average for around 80 years.   (82.6 years for females and 77.4 years for males)