CLASS 505 UNIT 6 DISCUSSION.

Epidemiology of Health Promotion After completing this unit, you should be able to:

Discuss the core functions of epidemiology. Explain ways to evaluate screening methodologies and outcome effectiveness. Determine the health promotion needs of a population by interpreting epidemiological data including health disparity data.

Course Outcome(s) practiced in this unit:

MN505-3: Assess health promotion and illness prevention risk factors in a multicultural context.

PC-4.3: Apply concepts of multiculturalism and diversity to become an agent of change.

Epidemiology Core Functions

There are six core epidemiological functions: surveillance, field investigations, analytical studies, evaluation, linkages, and policy. Although most healthcare professionals are familiar with the functions of health surveillance, field investigation, and analytic studies, and the investigation of health problems, they may be less aware of the core functions of linkages and policy. Linkages entail collaboration of agencies, organizations, governments and healthcare professionals. Epidemiological work is characterized by interprofessional and interagency collaboration Epidemiologists also play a key role in providing the data to help focus the development of evidence-based health policy at all levels, from developing policies for a single hospital unit to the development of national and international health policy. As a masters or doctoral prepared nurse, you will play an important role in providing linkages and advocating for evidence-based policy changes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the organization charged with coordinating epidemiological work in the United States. The mission of the CDC is to protect the health of the nation. The CDC is one of the most important sources of health information and resources for healthcare professionals and consumers and one of the leading causes of health-related statistics.

There are a number of statistics used in epidemiology to describe health status, quantify the extent of disease, and estimate the risk for developing disease or injury. It is essential that nurses be able to locate and interpret these statistics because this information is used to plan and evaluate health services and guide health policy. The most widely used health statistics are morbidity, mortality, and natality statistics. The definitions and uses of these statistics are further examined in this unit.