epidemiology

epidemiology
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. [G. epidemios, epidemic, + logos, study]
- clinical e. the field concerned with applying epidemiological principles in a clinical setting.
- genetic e. the branch of e. that studies the role of genetic factors and their interactions with environmental factors in the occurrence of disease in various populations.
- molecular e. the use in epidemiologic studies of techniques of molecular biology such as DNA typing.

* * *

ep·i·de·mi·ol·o·gy -jē n, pl -gies
1) a branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population
2) the sum of the factors controlling the presence or absence of a disease or pathogen
ep·i·de·mi·o·log·i·cal -.dē-mē-ə-'läj-i-kəl, -.dem-ē- also ep·i·de·mi·o·log·ic -ik adj
ep·i·de·mi·o·log·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv

* * *

n.
the study of the occurrence, distribution, and control of infectious and noninfectious diseases in populations, which is a basic part of public health medicine. Originally restricted to the study of epidemic infectious diseases, such as smallpox and cholera, it now covers all forms of disease that relate to the environment and ways of life. It thus includes the study of the links between smoking and cancer, and diet and coronary disease, as well as communicable disease.

* * *

ep·i·de·mi·ol·o·gy (ep″ĭ-de″me-olґə-je) [epidemic + -logy] the science concerned with the study of the factors determining and influencing the frequency and distribution of disease, injury, and other health-related events and their causes in a defined human population for the purpose of establishing programs to prevent and control their development and spread. Also, the sum of knowledge gained in such a study.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • epidemiology — ep i*de mi*ol o*gy, n. [Epidemy + logy.] (Med.) That branch of medicine which studies the incidence and distribution of disease in a population, and uses such information to find the causes, modes of transmission, and methods for control of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epidemiology — “study of epidemics,” 1873, from Gk. epidemios “epidemic” (see EPIDEMIC (Cf. epidemic)) + LOGY (Cf. logy). Related: Epidemiological; epidemiologist …   Etymology dictionary

  • epidemiology — [ep΄ə dē΄mē äl′ə jē, ep΄ədem΄ēäl′ə jē] n. [Gr epidēmios (see EPIDEMIC) + LOGY] 1. the branch of medicine that investigates the causes and control of epidemics 2. all the elements contributing to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a disease in a… …   English World dictionary

  • Epidemiology — For the Community episode, see Epidemiology (Community). Epidemiology is the study of health event, health characteristic, or health determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform… …   Wikipedia

  • epidemiology — epidemiological /ep i dee mee euh loj i keuhl, dem ee /, adj. epidemiologically, adv. epidemiologist, n. /ep i dee mee ol euh jee, dem ee /, n. the branch of medicine dealing with the incidence and prevalence of disease in large populations and… …   Universalium

  • epidemiology — UK [ˌepɪdiːmɪˈɒlədʒɪ] / US [ˌepɪdɪmɪˈɑlədʒɪ] noun [uncountable] Word forms epidemiology : singular epidemiology plural epidemiologies the scientific study of infectious diseases and their causes Derived word: epidemiologist noun countable Word… …   English dictionary

  • epidemiology — The analysis of the incidence and spread of disease within populations, with the aim of establishing causality. The modern science of epidemiology is often said to have originated with John Snow s identification of a particular source of drinking …   Dictionary of sociology

  • epidemiology — epidemiologija statusas T sritis biomedicinos mokslai apibrėžtis Mokslas apie sveikatos sutrikimų ir juos lemiančių veiksnių atsiradimą bei plitimą tam tikroje ↑populiacijoje ir profilaktikos priemonių taikymo galimybes bei veiksmingumą.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • Epidemiology, clinical — Epidemiology focused specifically upon patients. Epidemiology is the study of populations in order to determine the frequency and distribution of disease and measure risks …   Medical dictionary

  • Epidemiology of autism — The epidemiology of autism is the study of factors affecting autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Most recent reviews estimate a prevalence of one to two cases per 1,000 people for autism, and about six per 1,000 for ASD; because of inadequate data,… …   Wikipedia

  • Epidemiology of child psychiatric disorders — Contents 1 Prevalence of mental illness 2 Developmental epidemiology 2.1 Socio economic influences 3 Methodological issues …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”