Epidemiology

This week we will look at research in epidemiology and how to evaluate a screening test for a specific disease which you identified in your county for your
first assignment. A portion of your second assignment summary will be be to look at a quantitative study and how it is used to support the use of screening
for one of your county’s health issues. Where do all the statistics come from to support a particular screening test? It is a a result of quantitative research
studies.
This PowerPoint presentation summarizes major study designs used in epidemiology research (click twice on enter to forward the slides). The matching of
the correct research design to the study is crucial for the journey to the correct data collection, to reach the conclusions. Understanding basic designs
provides you with the ability to understand research reports, and to be able to find when another design might have made for a tighter study.
Celentano and Szklo (2019) covers common study designs thoroughly in Chapters 7-11 with detailed and specific information. The points to focus on are the
type of design, what it means, what it means for the study, why it is done, and what epidemiological studies are all about.
Systematic research is essential in epidemiological studies, this is pure quantitative methods, and usually dealing with large samples. All of the designs
covered in the Powerpoint differ based upon how the samples are arranged and the study conducted, but they all seek to find the same result, which is how
to manage the numbers to understand the journey and outcomes of diseases as well as can be done.
The readings in the textbook will supplement your research on the chosen screening program or test. Celentano and Szklo (2019) in Chapter 18 describes
the natural history of a disease and progression, some of the research designs that may be selected to evaluate screening and testing for diseases, as well
as bias and other issues that must be addressed when evaluating screening testing or programs.
Screening tests to be used for the general population must be reliable, valuable, and cost effective. Please watch this short YouTube video, Principles of
Screening, which discusses a balanced perspective and fundamental principles of screening as we consider this topic this week.

Required Readings : Celentano, D. D., & Szklo, M. (2019). Gordis epidemiology (6th ed.). Elsevier. Chapters 7-11, 18
This assignment provides an opportunity to prepare a public health initiative for education. Students will select a local epidemiological issue from
Assignment 1: What’s in Your County and prepare a public health educational item and create a written summary. This educational item can be a brochure,
article for a local newspaper, poster, newsletter,hat educates a selected population of their community. You will choose a targeted population for this public
health item, and decide how to present this topic with the objective of promoting improvement in healthcare and/or quality of life related to health.
Here are some tips for creating a brochure in Word, if you choose to design this for the assignment. : https://templates.office.com/?
legRedir=true&qu=making+a+brochure&ex=1&av=all&CorrelationId=3049d28f-e78e-4e28-a289-4cf5d3defcb9#ai:TC010378784%7C
You will also create a 3 page summary, in APA 7th edition format about your educational issue including a research article about a screening test used for
your issue (see grading rubric)