The study of how disease is distributed and what determines it in populations.
Descriptive epidemiology studies who, where and when; analytical studies include cohort, case-control and randomised controlled trials. Measures: incidence, prevalence, mortality and relative risk.
Study designs: cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, RCT. Bias and confounding must be controlled. Risk ratios and odds ratios quantify associations.
Common mistake: association does not prove causation.
The study of how disease is distributed and what determines it in populations.
Epidemiology is one of the 52 topics in Immunology & Disease. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Autoimmune Disease, Bacterial vs Viral Infections, Viruses.
The Framingham study identified cardiovascular risk factors.
Work through the Beginner topics in Immunology & Disease first, such as Immune System, Viruses, Innate Immunity, then return to Epidemiology. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Epidemiology are Autoimmune Disease, Bacterial vs Viral Infections, Viruses, Basic Reproduction Number. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Epidemiology. To practise the whole of Immunology & Disease, use the Immunology & Disease quiz.
Epidemiology: The study of how disease is distributed and what determines it in populations. Autoimmune Disease: The immune system attacks the body's own tissues, as in type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
Association does not prove causation.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Autoimmune Disease and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Immunology & Disease quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The immune system attacks the body's own tissues, as in type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
🛡️ Immunology & DiseaseAntibiotics treat bacterial infections but do not work against viruses.
🛡️ Immunology & DiseaseNon-cellular infectious particles of genetic material in a protein coat that reproduce only inside host cells.
🛡️ Immunology & DiseaseR0 is the average number of new infections one case causes in a fully susceptible population.
🛡️ Immunology & Disease