Nursing Epidemiology
Running head: EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiology
Epidemiology Maintenance and restoration of health in collaboration with the prevention and treatment of illness is imperative to the health of the public. Contemporary medicine incorporates science, research, and technology not only to maintain and restore health, but also to prevent and treat illness. A holistic approach is necessary to the success of public health and must integrate epidemiologic theory and principles at the foundation (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 243). The search for information to ensure health and prevent illness begins with epidemiology. Vulnerability permits susceptibility to deteriorations in health and leads to illness. Recognizing individuals and populations with vulnerability allows development of interventions to assist with overcoming vulnerability.
Vulnerable Population Vulnerability is susceptibility to injury or disease (“Vulnerable“, ¶ 1). Teens face many concerns as they near adulthood. Adolescents live with a belief of invulnerability, but many face threats to their health, safety, and welfare (Fischhoff & Willis, 2001, p. 109). Due to their perceived invulnerability, many teens underestimate the risks posed by particular behaviors (Fischhoff & Willis). The potentially unsafe behaviors can lead to life altering choices such as drug use.
Disease of Interest Drugs are meant to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease, but at times an illicit substance causing addition, or habituation (“Drug“, 2009). Drug use and abuse is a vicious cycle perpetuated by stress, loneliness, or depression. The key forces driving most adolescents to the decision of drug abuse are anger, peer pressure, and stress (Students Against Destructive Decisions/Students Against Driving Drunk and Liberty Mutual [SADD/ Liberty Mutual], 2002, p. 1). Epidemiologists look for information to determine the causes of drug use in adolescents and assist with development of intervention programs to
Epidemiology
Epidemiology Maintenance and restoration of health in collaboration with the prevention and treatment of illness is imperative to the health of the public. Contemporary medicine incorporates science, research, and technology not only to maintain and restore health, but also to prevent and treat illness. A holistic approach is necessary to the success of public health and must integrate epidemiologic theory and principles at the foundation (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 243). The search for information to ensure health and prevent illness begins with epidemiology. Vulnerability permits susceptibility to deteriorations in health and leads to illness. Recognizing individuals and populations with vulnerability allows development of interventions to assist with overcoming vulnerability.
Vulnerable Population Vulnerability is susceptibility to injury or disease (“Vulnerable“, ¶ 1). Teens face many concerns as they near adulthood. Adolescents live with a belief of invulnerability, but many face threats to their health, safety, and welfare (Fischhoff & Willis, 2001, p. 109). Due to their perceived invulnerability, many teens underestimate the risks posed by particular behaviors (Fischhoff & Willis). The potentially unsafe behaviors can lead to life altering choices such as drug use.
Disease of Interest Drugs are meant to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease, but at times an illicit substance causing addition, or habituation (“Drug“, 2009). Drug use and abuse is a vicious cycle perpetuated by stress, loneliness, or depression. The key forces driving most adolescents to the decision of drug abuse are anger, peer pressure, and stress (Students Against Destructive Decisions/Students Against Driving Drunk and Liberty Mutual [SADD/ Liberty Mutual], 2002, p. 1). Epidemiologists look for information to determine the causes of drug use in adolescents and assist with development of intervention programs to
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). Methodology of youth risk behavior surveillance system [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Drug Fischhoff, B., & Willis, H. (2001). Adoescent vulnerability: Measurement and piority setting. In Adolescent risk and vulnerability: Concepts and measurement (pp. 109-144). Retrieved from The National Academies Press. Hingson, R. W., Assailly, J. P., & Williams, A. F. (2004). Underage drinking: Frequency, consequences, and interventions. Traffic Injury Prevention, 5, 228-236. Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public health nursing Population-centered health care in the community (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Texas Department of State Health Services. (2009). A report to the legislature from the interagency obesity council. Retrieved from http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/obesity/pdf/IOC%20Report%20for%20Web.pdf Vulnerable