SOC 340 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Influenza A Virus Subtype H5N1, American Medical Association, Avian Influenza
Document Summary
Multidisciplinary field that studies the origin and distribution of health problems, whether infectious disease, chronic ailments or problems resulting from unhealthy behaviors. Case: an episode of a disorder, illness or injury involving a person. Crude rate: number of persons (cases) who have the characteristics being measured during a specific unit of time: examples: birth rates and mortality rates. Epidemics only began to affect human populations as trade between regions increased and as humans being moving in greater proportions into cities. Killed approximately 1/3rd of the european population. Transmission of disease was not understood initially but social patterning in the distribution of the disease was observed. John snow investigates into cholera outbreaks in london. He systematically mapped out cases of infection, interviewed victims and traced their daily activities to a common source: contaminated well pumps. Provided he foundation of modern epidemiological methods. Chemical agents- gases and toxic chemicals that pollute the air, water and land.
