Epidemiology Quiz on Chapter 1

(9/19/00)
(1) Complete this sentence: Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and
determinants of health and disease in ________________.
ANS: groups or populations ("people" is an incomplete answer, since this could also
describe medicine)
(2) Fill in the blank: Public health is organized community
_______________________ to promote health and prevent disease.
ANS: effort or activity
(3) Identify a way in which epidemiology differs from public health.
ANS: Epidemiology is primarily a "study of." Public health is primarily an activity.
Public health comprises many different disciplines. Epidemiology is said to be the
core discipline of public health (according to the Institute of Medicine, perhaps an
oversimplification).
(4) Briefly identify a way in which epidemiology and public health are similar.
ANS: Both epidemiology and public health are concerned with the prevention of
disease and promotion of health.
(5) True or false? The risk of cancer has increased dramatically in modern times.
ANS: False. Many people have the false impression that cancer rates have
skyrocketed. However, after one takes account of age, cancer rates have been
approximately stable over the past century. (Of course, there are some notable
exceptions. For example, lung cancer rates increased and are now decreasing.)
(6) Multiple choice: John Snow's studies of cholera outbreaks proved that cholera
was:
(A) waterborne
(B) caused by a bacteria
(C) caused by foul emanation of gases
(D) caused by poverty
ANS: The correct answer is A. Snow's work demonstrated that cholera was
transmitted by water contaminated by fecal material. This occurred many years before
the cholera bacillus was identified and isolated.
(7) What is the most common cause of death in the United States?

ANS: Cardiovascular disease.

(8) Describe the epidemiologic transition of the 20th century.
ANS: The epidemiologic transition refers to the dramatic changes in morbidity and
mortality that have occurred in relation to demographic, biologic, and socioeconomic
factors during the 20th century. These changes include increases in longevity,
decreases in fertility, and a transition from predominantly infectious diseases causes
of illness to a predominance of noninfectious disease.

Epidemiology Quiz on Chapter 2 (2/13/03)

1. This stage of disease occurs before exposure to the ultimate causal agent.
2. This stage of prevention occurs during the clinical stage of disease.
3. Describe the epidemiologic iceberg.
4. Provide a definition of cause .
5. True or false? Exposure to a necessary causal factor always lead to disease.
6. Fill in: Agent, host, and ____________ factors determine the level of a disease in a
populations.

Epidemiology Quiz on Chapter 3 (9/26/01)

1. This type of infectious agent is a parasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll.

ANS: fungi and yeast

2. Chicken pox is primarily propagated and transmitted by asymptomatic people who

have the virus. Therefore, its reservoir is:
ANS: a carrier
3. Some infectious diseases are transmitted from the mother to the child before the
child is born. In these instances, the portal of entry of the agent is the:
ANS: placenta

4. Define the term vector.