Epidemiologic Approach To Understand Disease Causation
Added on 2020-03-13
5 Pages927 Words120 Views
Running Head: THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACH IN UNDERSTANDING DISEASE CAUSATION NOTIONSThe Epidemiologic Approach in Understanding Disease Causation NotionsName:Institution and Affiliations:Instructor:Date:
THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACH IN UNDERSTANDING DISEASE CAUSATION NOTIONS1.Strengths of the Epidemiologic ApproachThe first strength of the epidemiologic approach in understanding causation notions isthat it helps develop and implement effective preventive actions against particular diseasesbefore their complete causative agents are established (Gallagher, 2012). The approachprovides practical problem solving skills that are viable in any given setting even before theparticular causative mechanism of a disease is established. For instance, the approach can beused to inform the community to reduce intake of high–lipid foods and as a result preventcardiovascular diseases. Secondly, epidemiological studies are cheaper as compared to lab-based studies while at the same time offers generalizable results within a short time than thelater (Kim, 2013). It involves low-cost observational studies which have no ethicalcontroversies in preventing disease causation mechanisms. Unlike in lab-based treatmentapproaches used in establishing disease causative organisms, humans are not at all exposed toserious physical risk. Through the approach community public health interventions can beevaluated even when health conditions have resulted from natural causes (Platt, 2011). Thecausal knowledge acquired in this approach helps plan and act on breaking links betweendisease causing factors and the diseases themselves. Further, the approach helps predictintervention outcomes in communities. 2.Weaknesses of the Epidemiologic ApproachOne of the weaknesses of the epidemiological approach in regard to understanding notions of disease causation is that its studies do not control both confounding and extraneousfactors (Gallagher, 2012). This makes interpretation of results obtained in the epidemiological study difficult. In terms of observational studies used in this approach, there are major disadvantages. First, direct study on etiology is impossible since investigators do not manipulate any given exposures. Secondly, etiology is only indirectly studied through
End of preview
Want to access all the pages? Upload your documents or become a member.
Related Documents
MEDI6073 - Determination of the Causative Mechanism, Epidemiologic Approachlg...
|5
|1201
|114
401175 - Theoretical Concepts of Epidemiology Assignmentlg...
|4
|812
|207