GCU PUB540 All Discussions Latest 2023

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 1 Discussion

Topic 1 DQ 1

Define endemic, epidemic, and pandemic, and provide an example of each. Describe a current epidemic. Describe one example of each of the prevention types (primary, secondary, and tertiary) that could be applied to control the epidemic.

Topic 1 DQ 2

Discuss three of the seven uses and applications of epidemiology. How can descriptive epidemiology (person, place, time) be used to study health and illness and predict future trends?

 

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 2 Discussion

Topic 2 DQ 1

Explain the difference between incidence and prevalence of a disease and discuss their relationship. Provide an example of how incidence and prevalence rates for a specific disease can be used.

Topic 2 DQ 2

Discuss the difference between screening and surveillance. What criteria should you look for when screening for a disease?

 

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 3 Discussion

Topic 3 DQ 1

Discuss the steps involved in an outbreak investigation. Explain why each step is significant.

Topic 3 DQ 2

Discuss the different types of transmission. Provide an example of each.

 

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 4 Discussion

Topic 4 DQ 1

Differentiate between association and causation using the causal guidelines. Discuss which of the guidelines you think is the most difficult to establish. Discuss the four types of causal relationships and use an example not listed in the textbook to describe each relationship.

Topic 4 DQ 2

Explain the difference between relative risk, attributable risk, and population attributable risk. Provide an example (not from the textbook) of how each type of risk is used in epidemiology. How would you propose using population attributable risk to advocate for a health policy or intervention relative to your health interest?

 

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 5 Discussion

Topic 5 DQ 1

Compare and contrast the key differences between descriptive and analytic epidemiological studies. What are the characteristics of data collected from descriptive studies designs and how can the data be used in public health?

Topic 5 DQ 2

What are the two main types of analytic studies? Explain the role of hypothesis testing for risk factors and disease. Provide an example of a hypothesis in epidemiologic research and the methods used to test it.

 

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 6 Discussion

Topic 6 DQ 1

Describe the common characteristics and design of a case-control study. Discuss the three important features when it comes to selecting cases and controls and identify a situation when one of these might be violated. Discuss the limitations of using questionnaires for determining exposure status and provide examples of alternative strategies for collecting this information in a case-control study.

Topic 6 DQ 2

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of cross-sectional studies and provide examples of how they can be “descriptive” or “analytic” study designs. Discuss an example of a disease where survival could influence the association between a possible exposure and the disease when measured with a cross-sectional study. Do not discuss examples used in the textbook.

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 7 Discussion

Topic 7 DQ 1

Describe the characteristics and design of a cohort study. Based on a disease or health condition identified from the “2020 LHI Topics” page on the Healthy People website (provided in the topic Resources) or an article from the GCU Library, discuss a real example of a cohort study (include the link to the article in your post to the forum). Include the participants, exposures or treatment groups, timeframe, and outcomes that were measured. Why is a cohort study described as an “observational” study rather than an “experimental” study design?

 

Topic 7 DQ 2

Identify a health issue of your choice, such as an infectious disease (e.g., HIV, COVID-19, STD, measles), chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, specific cancer type, pulmonary disease) or health issue (e.g., drug abuse, domestic violence, suicide) prevalent in a specific target population (e.g., African American Women, Hispanic Men, Native Americans, Transgender Teens). Propose a study based on the methods you have learned thus far that are designed to investigate an association and the methods you would apply. Justify your choice of design. Discuss and define the risk factor or exposure that is being assessed, the method of comparison that is used, and the setting or situation (community, school, workplace, etc.) your study would look to address. Include in your proposal the concepts of causal inference, measures of association, and whether you will use an experimental or observational study design.

 

 

PUB540 Principles of Epidemiology

Week 8 Discussion

Topic 8 DQ 1

Epidemiological methods are used in a variety of public health areas, including infectious disease, chronic disease, genetics, behavioral, psychosocial, occupational, environmental, and social health. Epidemiological methods are used to assess, describe, analyze, and make comparisons of populations to inform evidence-based practices, interventions, and policies. Select one public health area and identify a health policy developed to address a specific health issue. Describe the health policy. What population and health issue does the policy target? Assess its effectiveness in reducing incidence, prevalence, morbidly, and mortality in a specific region.

 

Topic 8 DQ 2

Race is often used as a descriptor of disease burden in epidemiology and helps to determine where health disparities exist so that they may be addressed through public health programs and policy. However, it is important to differentiate between race as a descriptor and race as a risk factor. Increasing evidence points to structural and institutionalized racism and racial trauma as risk factors that contribute to socioeconomic, epigenetic, and transgenerational consequences that result in minority health disparities.

Consider the following statement: “Race is not a risk factor and should not be used in public health data collection.” Discuss the ethical and public health implications of this statement. When might collecting data on race perpetuate institutional racism leading to health disparities and when is it necessary to improve public health? What structural and institutional factors in society contribute to racial health disparities? What policies and system changes are required to dismantle institutionalized racism and reduce minority health disparities? Consider ethical issues related to respect for persons, beneficence, and justice as described in The Belmont Report.