Epidemiology Definition Essay ⋆ Criminal Justice Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

Epidemiology is the quantitative study of the distribution or frequency of, and the determinants or factors associated with, a particular issue affecting the public. These issues of interest range from diseases, to accidents, to behaviors such as violence. Stated concisely, epidemiology is interested in counting and describing events.

In epidemiology, events of interest are generally counted, or quantified, in terms of incidence and/or prevalence. Incidence refers to the number of separate events that affect individuals within a group during a specific time. For example, an incidence of completed rape takes the form of 3 per 1,000 women in a given year, meaning 3 completed rapes were measured per 1,000 women in the population during that year. This is not the same as prevalence, which identifies the total number of persons within a group who experience an event during a specific time period. The corresponding prevalence rate may take the form of 2 completed rapes per 1,000 women during that year, meaning 2 women were victims of completed rape (some were victims more than one time) over the specified period.

Epidemiology is concerned with more than counting. It also identifies characteristics of affected individuals, event characteristics, and environmental characteristics. This descriptive task generally takes the form of addressing questions such as these: Who is influenced? What happens during the event? Where does the event occur? When does the event take place? Extending the above example, answers to these sorts of questions include that, in general, younger females are more likely to experience a completed rape. The rape generally does not involve a weapon, the victims tend not to sustain injuries beyond the rape, and the perpetrator is most often someone they know. Finally, completed rapes tend to occur in or near the victim’s home during evening hours.

Given an understanding of the extent and nature of the problem of interest, epidemiology approaches the issue analytically by addressing two additional important questions. First, how did the event take place? And second, why did the event take place? Answering these critical questions generally involves analytic comparisons between groups in the population to determine critical risk factors. Though very important, identifying risk factors is not the same as establishing causation. For example, epidemiological work demonstrates that poor women are more likely to be victims of completed rape. This does not mean that being poor is a cause of rape. Instead, it merely demonstrates that there is an increased risk of victimization among poor women. To establish a causal relationship, additional analyses are necessary.

Ultimately, findings from epidemiological research can be used to inform the public about the nature and extent of a problem. In addition, using this knowledge, policies designed to reduce frequency of the problem of interest may be implemented. Further, results from epidemiological analyses can be used to evaluate interventions designed to minimize, and eventually eradicate, the problem of interest.

Bibliography:

Berkman, L. (2000). Social epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Bhopal, R. (2002). Concepts of epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Gordis, L. (2004). Epidemiology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.
Rothman, K. (2002). Epidemiology: An introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
Rothman, K., & Greenland, S. (1998). Modern epidemiology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

This example Epidemiology Definition Essay is published for educational and informational purposes only. If you need a custom essay or research paper on this topic please use our writing services. EssayEmpire.com offers reliable custom essay writing services that can help you to receive high grades and impress your professors with the quality of each essay or research paper you hand in.