医学英语教程综合教程第六单元.docVIP

【单元6】 Epidemiology and Its Applications The word epidemiology comes from the Greek words epi, meaning on or upon, demos. meaning people . and logos . meaning the study of . in other words , the word epidemiology has its roots in the study of what befalls a population. Epidemiology is a scientific discipline with sound methods of scientific inquiry at its foundation. It is data-driven and relies on a systematic and unbiased approach to the collection.analysis. and interpretation of data. Basic epidemiologic methods tend to rely on careful observation and use of valid comparison groups to assess whether what was observed. such as the number of cases of disease in a particular area during a particular time period or the frequency of an exposure among persons with disease. differs from what might be expected. 流行病学epidemiology一词来源于希腊词，epi-，意为“在……之上”，demos意为“人群”，logos意为“关于……的研究”。换言之，epidemiology植根于某个人群有关的疾病研究。流行病学从根本上是一门有着严密科学方法的学科。它是数据驱动，用系统、客观的方法收集、分析和解释数据。基本的流行病学研究方法依靠仔细的观察，运用有效的对照组来衡量观察对象，比如在一个特定时间段，一个特定的区域疾病的发病数量或是和一种疾病发病人群的接触频率，和你预测的有何不同。? Epidemiologists assume that illness does not occur randomly in a population, but happens only when the right accumulation of risk factors or determinants exists in an individual. To search for these determinants, epidemiologists use analytic epidemiology or epidemiologic studies to provide the .Why and .How ot such events. They assess whether groups with different rates of disease differ in their demographic characteristics. genetic or immunologic make-up. behaviors, environmental exposures. or other so-called potential risk factors. ideally. the findings provide sufficient evidence to direct prompt and effective public health control and prevention measures. Epidemiology and the information generated by epidemiologic methods have been used in many ways. Some common uses are described below, been used in many ways. Some common uses are described below. 流行病学家认为疾病不会随意地在某个人群中发生，但存在与个体中的风险因子或决定因素累积到一定程度才可能发生。为了查明这些影响因素，