Posted: August 29th, 2015

Application: Measures of Occurrence and Data Sources

Application: Measures of Occurrence and Data Sources

Order Description

To prepare for this Application Assignment:
Select one health condition that interests you. For a list of conditions, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions/

Review the following scenario.

Suppose you are working in a state health department monitoring trends in the occurrence of various reportable conditions. As you compare this year’s trends with last year’s, you notice an increase in the occurrence of the condition that you chose.

With the scenario in mind, complete a 2- to 3-page paper that states the chosen condition and responds to the following questions.
1. What considerations are important to explore to determine if the increase in reported numbers represents a true increase in the incidence of the condition? For considerations, this means anything that could affect a true increase in the rates, possibly causing it to appear that there is an increase, and possibly an epidemic, but in fact, that might not be the case. Examples include: screenings, testing, change in diagnosis criteria, policies, laws, campaigns, etc. Describe at least two considerations.

2. What descriptive epidemiologic factors (time/place/person) might you consider in order to assess the differences in occurrence?

3. What descriptive epidemiologic factors (time/place/person) might you consider in order to assess the differences in occurrence over time?

4. How would these factors contribute to your understanding of the increase in the occurrence of the condition

Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate.