PBHL 2201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, African Trypanosomiasis, Viral Disease

• School: Temple University
• Department: Public Health
• Course: PBHL 2201
• Professor: Gregory Benjamin

Document Summary

Epidemiologists developed the modern theory of multiple causation. In this theory, the definition of disease agent is expanded to denote any factor that needs to be present or absent for a disease to occur. Hippocrates was the first epidemiologist bc he recorded his observations about the spread of disease in populations. Understanding of disease and the identification of disease agents grew so did the science of epidemiology until today the disease detectives are the first to be summoned when an outbreak of disease occurs with an unknown cause. Epidemiologists seek to discover the cause of disease, establish patterns of disease occurrence and recommend measures so that diseases ben be prevented, controlled or eliminated. Endemic- constant presence of a disease in a population. Epidemic- outbreak of one specific disease in excess of normal expectations. Pandemic- an epidemic that is widespread over a country, continent, worldwide.