Epidemiology Concepts

Running Head: EPIDEMIOLOGY CONCEPTS
Epidemiology Concepts
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EPIDEMIOLOGY CONCEPTS
1. (a) The introduction of new drug that cures a previously incurable but non-fatal
non-communicable disease.
Effect on incidence rate: The incidence rate is likely to remain constant or increased
because the drug does not prevent the risk of being infected with the disease thus does not
prevent the rise of new cases. The incidence rate is number of new cases of a disease in a
population of people who are at risk of being infected. Therefore, if the risks for the
disease are not eliminated or reduced, then the chances of new cases still remain the
same.
Effect on prevalence: the prevalence will be reduced as the disease will be cured,
therefore, reducing the total number of cases of the disease. Prevalence is the total
number of cases out of a population at risk of the disease.
Effect on the duration of the disease: the duration will be reduced since the disease will
be cured. When the disease is incurable, the duration is prolonged. The introduction of a
cure manages the symptoms of the disease and cure it therefore, a shorter duration of the
disease in the body.
(b) The introduction of a new drug that prolongs survival but does not cure a fatal
non-communicable disease
Effect on incidence rate: The incidence rate will either be constant or increase. This is
because the drug does not reduce the risk of being infected therefore, new will still be
there.
Effect on prevalence: The prevalence will remain constant or increase since the disease
will not be cured. It could also increase because of the number of survivors with the
disease will be increased since the mortality rate will have reduced.

EPIDEMIOLOGY CONCEPTS
Effect on the duration of the disease: The duration will be increased since the drug will
ensure survival but not cure. One will likely have the disease for a longer time since the
drug will help prolong life therefore, prolonging the duration of the disease too.
(c) The introduction of new vaccine that prevents most people from developing a
disease. Vaccinated people who still develop the disease recover more quickly than
unvaccinated people.
Effect on incidence rate: The incidence rate will be lowered due to prevention of new
cases of the disease. Therefore, the occurrence of the new cases will be reduced by the
vaccine.
Effect on prevalence: The prevalence will be reduced because the number of new cases
will have reduced therefore; the total number of cases will definitely be reduced.
Effect on the duration: The duration will remain constant for those not vaccinated and
those vaccinated but developed the disease, the duration will reduce because they will
recover more quickly as compared to the unvaccinated group.
2. (a) Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the men in:-
January 2006: 3400
6500 x 100=52.3 %
Therefore, the prevalence in 2006 was 52.3%
January 2016: 3400 - 200= 3200
3200 + 1000 = 4200
1000
6500 x 100=64.6 %