Epidemiology is a science that studies the nature of the occurrence and spread of epidemic diseases, the principles of their prevention and control, and other public health problems.
The definition of epidemiology was given back in 1864. Then it sounded like this:
> “a branch of medicine engaged in the objective study of the causes of the spread of mass infectious diseases by registering and recording cases of the disease by region and time of its manifestation.”
The definition did not include the concepts of “state” and “social”, which later became one of the advantages of the term. However, the term "epidemic" in the word "epidemiology" is used to distinguish it from ecological and evolutionary
- Are diseases a result of environmental influences? - Nonspecific pathogenicity of microorganisms: the ability to cause disease in humans and animals (and other organisms). - Interaction between microbes and host organism. - Risk of hospitalization for patients. - Features of the epizootic process of infectious diseases. The concept of an epidemic focus. - Fertility, mortality and natural population growth. Rotameters for determining the speed of movement of liquid media.
Epidemiology is the science that studies the spread of infectious diseases in human society and determines methods to combat them. It is of great importance for healthcare, as it allows not only to prevent the spread of diseases, but also to control their spread.
Epidemiology was created in the 19th century after the emergence of diseases that were previously unknown in the world, such as malaria, influenza and tuberculosis. These diseases spread quickly, and it was necessary to find ways to prevent them. It was at this point that the healthcare system and the education of scientists in the field of epidemiology began to develop.
One of the main goals of epidemiology is to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between humans and diseases. For example, we can determine that climate affects the incidence of certain diseases. We can also study the potential for transmission of microorganisms to various surfaces and determine what factors contribute to the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
One of the key aspects of epidemiology is the analysis of incidence trends, which allows us to anticipate epidemic situations and develop optimal action plans to prevent the spread of diseases. This allows for the development of effective strategies to limit risks and manage medical resources in the event of an emergency.
It is also worth noting that epidemiological studies are indispensable for monitoring the effectiveness of measures to prevent epidemics, determining the virulence and pathogenicity of pathogens. They also help evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines and drugs, and provide the basis for the development of effective diagnostic and preventive strategies.
Thus, epidemiology is an extremely important science that helps maintain our health, fight the spread of diseases and ensure the effectiveness of medical interventions. 1 Wikipedia.