...Epidemiology Paper Monica Okoro Nur/408 Epidemiology: Global and Public Health September 10, 2012 Diane Campbell, DNP - PHN, FNP - BC Epidemiology Paper Public health nursing allows nurses to encounter various vulnerable populations on a daily basis. In particular, the elderly make up a large portion of the population, and their vulnerability to the environment and other physical factors is a very important aspect of public health nursing. Epidemiology allows the public health nurse to study and assess vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and create interventions that maximize the health potential of all members of the public. This paper will explore the role of epidemiology and also discuss the definition and purpose of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the epidemiological triangle and levels of prevention that is related with influenza in the elderly community. Definition and Description of Epidemiology Originally, epidemiology was a term that was used to describe the spread of infectious disease. Over the course of time, that definition has expanded considerably in order to accommodate the complexity of ever-changing populations, their environments, and increasing occurrences of disease. Epidemiology is a branch of public health that studies of the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in human populations. It studies the patterns of diseases in human populations and how to control health problems associated with disease...
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...Epidemiology by definition is the study of the distribution and patterns of health-events, health- characteristics and their causes or influences in well-defined populations. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive medicine. Epidemiologists are involved in the design of studies, collection and statistical analysis of data, and interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review).Major areas of epidemiological study include outbreak investigation, disease surveillance and biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects such as in clinical trials. Epidemiologists rely on a number of other scientific disciplines such as biology (to better understand disease processes), biostatistics (to make efficient use of the data and draw appropriate conclusions), and exposure assessment and social science disciplines (to better understand proximate and distal risk factors, and their measurement). I would like to discuss elderly patients as my vulnerable population. There is no set age at which a person maybe under the care of a geriatric physician. The physician aims to promote health by preventing disease and disabilities in geriatric adults. A gerontologist specializes in the aging process. Adult medicine differs from the geriatric patient because the focus is on the elderly...
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...across the nation by declining loss of intellectual functioning. Not much is known about these disease processes but what is known is both these diseases are similar in signs and symptoms (Fisher Center For Alzheimer‘s Research Foundation, 2011). To explore and understand more about Alzheimer and Dementia disease process, it is important to understand what epidemiology is. Then this paper will show how the steps and methods the epidemiology uses to help determine the cause and effect of a disease. The paper continues to review how the epidemiological triangle is used. It is important to tie it altogether by explaining how epidemiology is used to help explore and understanding in how the disease process develops, any identifying causes and how to either slow the effects or prevent the disease process of Alzheimer from developing. Then next, the paper will provide an overview of the disease process and the effects it has on the elderly population. Last, the paper will review the relationship of the disease to various levels of prevention. Epidemiology According to Stanhope and Lancaster (2008), "Epidemiology is a multidisciplinary enterprise that recognizes the complex interrelationships of...
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...Epidemiology Paper In this epidemiological paper, I will be discussing about my chosen vulnerable population of elderly and the disease of type II diabetes among elderly population. I will also be discussing epidemiology and what it means, the steps and methods of epidemiology and how it was done for my chosen population and disease. Ethical and legal considerations, how to provide culturally competent care, and at last, I will discuss whether the research was descriptive or analytical, and the process of feasibility and evaluation of prevention of diseases. As stated in Nursing Standard, epidemiology is a scientific research discipline concerned with observing, measuring and analyzing health-related occurrences in human populations (Last 1995, Trichopoulos 1996). Mausner and Kramer (1985) suggest that epidemiological studies can be applied to all diseases, conditions and health-related events (Whitehead, 2000). Although epidemiology is focused on observing, measuring, and analyzing, it also evaluates diseases and health services, rationalizes resources, and prioritizes as to how to formulate strategies for health promotion. Epidemiology can also help to determine the health of the population, planning of health policies and services, and maintaining a healthy environment for all. When it comes to nursing, epidemiology offers nurses many benefits in incorporating health practices into their professional roles, helps them in having a better understanding in regards to the disease...
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...Epidemiology by definition is the study of the distribution and patterns of health-events, health- characteristics and their causes or influences in well-defined populations. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive medicine. Epidemiologists are involved in the design of studies, collection and statistical analysis of data, and interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review).Major areas of epidemiological study include outbreak investigation, disease surveillance and biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects such as in clinical trials. Epidemiologists rely on a number of other scientific disciplines such as biology (to better understand disease processes), biostatistics (to make efficient use of the data and draw appropriate conclusions), and exposure assessment and social science disciplines (to better understand proximate and distal risk factors, and their measurement). I would like to discuss elderly patients as my vulnerable population. There is no set age at which a person maybe under the care of a geriatric physician. The physician aims to promote health by preventing disease and disabilities in geriatric adults. A gerontologist specializes in the aging process. Adult medicine differs from the geriatric patient because the focus is on the elderly patient...
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...Diabetes in the Youth: Epidemiology Paper May 2, 2016 University of Phoenix NUR/408 Diabetes in the Youth: Epidemiology Paper Diabetes has become a serious issue in our youth, even though the mortality rates have decreased over the years the rate is still too high. According to the CDC (2012), From 1968–1969 to 2008–2009, the death rate from diabetes among youths under the of 19 decreased 61%, from 2.69 per million to 1.05 per million. The death rate among youths under 10 years of age decreased 78%, from 1.80 per million to 0.39 per million, and the death rate among youths aged 10–19 years decreased 52%, from 3.56 per million to 1.71 per million (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2012). The seriousness of these statistics shows that diabetes is disease requiring significant attention in the youth population. Epidemiological studies are needed in order to direct healthcare in the youth population and to provide effective interventions designed to reduce the prevalence and incidence rates of diabetes amongst our youth. Definition and Purpose of Study The purpose of epidemiology is to study disease and as a tool of community health it performs this function through a series of steps: 1. Search for determinants – A search for causes and factors that influence public health such as disease or high risk behaviors such as drug use. 2. Study of events- Health-related states or events need to be studied such as chronic diseases, injuries, birth defects, maternal-child...
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...Benchmark Assignment: Tuberculosis Epidemiology Paper Aynalem Elfay Grand Canyon University ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to describe tuberculosis, evaluate the determinants and see how these factors contribute to the development of the disease. In addition, the paper describes how the community health nurse will play a role in providing treatment and prevention towards the disease. WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS? Tuberculosis is most commonly known as TB. It is a bacterial infection that can spread to any organ in a person’s body. It is a disease most commonly found in the lungs. Individuals who are most exposed to this particular disease do not develop the symptoms since the bacteria itself can reside as an inactive form in the human body (WebMD, 2016). However, if the body’s immune system weakens then the TB can be very active and harmful to the individual. As a result, the TB bacteria can cause death to the tissues in the organs that are infected. If the disease is left untreated, it can be very harmful and fatal to the human body. The bacteria that cause Tuberculosis are air transmitted. In other words, the disease can be very contagious and the infection from the bacteria is most likely to occur. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES? Individuals who are exposed to TB often acquire the disease from other individuals already infected. The individuals who have active TB infections can easily spread the disease if they are in close proximity. Through coughing, sneezing, and...
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...Epidemiology Paper: Mononucleosis Naomi R. Walsh Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V January 25, 2014 Epidemiology Paper: Mononucleosis Mononucleosis (mono) is most commonly known as the kissing disease. Mono usually occurs in adolescents and young adults. The virus that causes mono is carried in saliva and passed though such activities as kissing, coughing, sneezing, and sharing of cups and eating utensils. Mono is not a fatal disease, but it can cause weeks of uncomfortable symptoms. Although there is no cure for mono, there are many type of therapies that can help to alleviate some of the symptoms. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012) Description and Demographic Mononucleosis is a disease caused by one of the most common human viruses in the world, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “mono effects about 45 of 100,000 people, mostly teens and young adults” (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2013). A person with mono is contagious for several days before symptoms begin to appear and for some time after. The virus is spread through saliva by kissing, sharing drinks and food, sharing cups and utensils, sharing toothbrushes, and sharing toys that have drool on them. Many people are infected with the virus and have no symptoms; those that do suffer symptoms are usually teens and young adults. Once the virus is picked up it has an incubation period of four to six weeks (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012) . The most common symptoms...
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...Epidemiology Paper – HIV/AIDS Epidemiology is defined as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 243). According to Medscape’s (2011) website, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent among homeless girls and women (both sheltered and unsheltered) and is attributed to lack of access to condoms, survival sex, prostitution, intravenous drug use, language barriers, and citizenship status. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body's natural defense system. Not having a good immune system means the body will have trouble getting rid of disease. The infection it creates and the virus is called HIV. One of the most important pieces of the immune system is the White Blood cells. The HIV virus targets and destroy a specific white blood cell called CD4+ cells. The human body can’t defend itself from infection if way too many CD4+ cells are neutralized. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the last phase of HIV infection. People get rare Cancer or infections that healthy people almost never get if they have low amount of CD4+ with AIDS. This could be fatal. Although just because you have HIV, doesn’t mean you also have AIDS. It usually takes 10-12 years for HIV to become aids even without any treatment. If the HIV virus is diagnosed before AIDS develop, then medicines...
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...Epidemiology Paper Name: Course: Date: Epidemiology Paper Influenza or simply flu is one of the most devastating communicable diseases. This is because it is transmitted through the air we breathe. This simply means that being in the company of a mammal or bird that is infected is more than good enough reason for one to get infected (Naff, 2011). Influenza is caused by an influenza virus which can be of one of three types. Type A and B results to a high degree of infections. These two types are responsible for severe respiratory infections and in some cases death. Influenza virus type C on the other hand does not lead to severe respiratory infection and only causes minimal respiratory infections with little or no symptoms at all. The influenza virus is capable of modifying itself once in the body of the host. This occurs through mutation whereby vaccinations and treatment develop antibodies that go against the virus. Naff (2011) explains that this causes the virus to adjust for its survival and as a result develop into a new form that the antibodies do not see as harmful. The virus therefore has the capability of infecting a host at any time. However, it is possible for initial antibodies to recognize the mutated virus as a harmful component thereby limiting the degree of infection. In the epidemic involving the H1N1 virus in 2009, very few individuals had antibodies that could fight the virus. The flu has a number of symptoms which...
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...Epidemiology Paper Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that predominantly affects the respiratory system but has capability of affecting and damaging all organs. In the past this disease has been referred to as Pott's disease, Consumption, scrofula, phthisis, and the White Plague ("History of," 2014). There are many theories regarding the origins of this disease. Popular theory states this disease originated under 6000 years ago and the first human acquired case was in Africa less than 5000 years ago ("History of," 2014). From Africa it spread over trade routes and also spread to animals such as cows and dogs ("History of," 2014). Sea lions and seals breeding on African beaches are believed to be the carriers of TB across the Atlantic ocean to South America where it then was spread to hunters thus introducing the first cases of TB to the western world ("History of," 2014). TB is caused by a mycobacterium named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Symptoms of TB are chest pain, hemoptysis, cough lasting 3 weeks or longer, weakness, fatigue, appetite and weight loss, chills, fever and night sweats ("Tuberculosis (TB)," 2014). TB’s mode of transmission is airborne through small microscopic droplets that travel through the air after a person with the disease in their lungs coughs, speaks or sings or sneezes ("Tuberculosis (TB)," 2014). Latent and active TB are the two different types of TB conditions one may experience after exposure. Latent TB infection occurs in an individual who has...
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...Epidemiology Paper Epidemiology Paper This will paper discuss one of the deadly disease in the world call Tuberculosis (TB). The goal is to prevent the disease and prevent the spread of the disease from the teaching that the community health nurse will provide. An individual can die if TB is left untreated. Active Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. This respiratory disease that in most common in the lungs. (World Health Organization, 2014). Other parts of the body are affected by TB is the brain which causes tuberculosis meningitis, genitourinary TB, gastrointestinal TB, tuberculosis lymphadenitis, cutaneous TB, Uterus ovarian TB and Osteo articular skeletal bone and joint TB(articles base, 2008). It is curable and preventable. TB is contagious and is transmitted through the air from a person with the active respiratory disease and then another person inhale this infectious droplet. Active TB symptom from the lung are coughing, and with bloody sputum present sometimes, weakness, chest pain, fever, weight loss and night sweats. Once the germs enter the air it takes only a few of them to infect another person (World Health Organization, 2014). People with active TB usually have positive TB skin test and blood test. The chest x-ray is usually positive and positive sputum culture (Centered for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Latent Tuberculosis Another form of TB is called...
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...Epidemiology Paper: HIV Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V 08/09/2015 Human immunodeficiency virus, otherwise known as HIV, is a serious disease that affects the bodies’ immune system. HIV affects the immune cells, specifically called the CD4 cells or T cells. As time passes, these cells are destroyed and soon the body begins to lose its ability to fight off infections and disease. HIV is the virus that could lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV, meaning once infected, you will remain infected for the rest of your life. The earliest HIV case was known to be in 1959. While it is unknown when exactly it came about, or from where, the transfer of the disease is thought to be from animal to human decades earlier. Some scientists believe that the chimpanzee transmitted the virus to humans, back when humans would hunt the chimpanzees for their meat. The contact with their HIV infected blood caused the spread of the communicable disease. After slowly spreading across Africa through the years, the virus made its way out into the world. “The first cases of HIV in the United States date back to 1981.” (Holland, 2013) The HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. There are many myths about how HIV is spread; the truth of how it is spread is simple, through blood, semen, vaginal/rectal fluids and breast milk. “These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected...
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...Amanda Hough Grand Canyon University: Family Centered Health Promotion May 16, 2014 HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It can lead to immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. It is caused by the HIV entering the uninfected body and stats to destroy CD4+cells which are there to help the body fight infection and disease (Webmd.com, 2014). Once you have HIV, you have it for life. More than 1.1 million people in United States alone are living with HIV and 1 out of 6 font even know it. About 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year (Cdc.gov, 2014). It is more commonly see in the gay community particularly young black males. In 2011 an estimated that 15,529 people had died. (Aids.gov, 2014) HIV is spread by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV, sharing needles and less commonly by being born to an infected mother, blood transfusions or being stuck with an HIV-contaminated needle (Aids.gov, 2014). HIV has three stages of symptoms (Early, Latency, and Progression to AIDS). Early stage of HIV happens in the second to fourth week after being infected. It is the body’s natural defense mechanism to fighting off an invader. Symptoms are flu like and can be easily put off to other illnesses. Symptoms like fever, sore throat, rash, fatigue, aches and pains. These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks. Clinical latency stage is when the virus is continuing to develop without producing symptoms. Even though the individual is symptom free they are still...
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...July 27, 2014 Epidemiology HIV is an acronym that stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV virus attacks a carrier’s immune system making a simple cold detrimental to their health. It is spread though contact with an infected individual’s blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. The two most common ways that people contract HIV is though unprotected sex with a partner who knowingly or unknowingly has HIV, or through sharing needles with regards to drug use. The HIV virus works by attacking cells called CD4+ cells. These cells make up a large part of one’s immune system. When a certain number of CD4+ cells are destroyed, the human body is no longer able to fight off infections, regardless of how common. When the CD4+ cell amount becomes so little in quantity, the patient’s diagnosis usually changes from HIV to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The amount of time it can take for those infected to progress to AIDS can take up to 12 years (aids.gov, 2014). With ObamaCare, the primary goals regarding HIV is aimed at: 1) reducing the number of people who become infected with HIV, 2) increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV, and 3) reducing HIV-related health disparities (aids.gov, 2014). By providing preventative care such as condoms, education on monogamy, free clinics for STD (sexually transmitted diseases) screening, the population will be at a lesser risk of contracting HIV. In 1995, 44 percent of the general public indicated...
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