Nur 405 Epidemiology Paper
Epidemiology
NUR 408
Epidemiology
Public health nursing allows nurses to encounter various vulnerable populations on a daily basis. In particular, the elderly make up a large portion of the population, and their vulnerability to the environment and other physical factors is a very important aspect of public health nursing. Epidemiology allows the public health nurse to study and assess vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and create interventions that maximize the health potential of all members of the public.
Definition and Description of Epidemiology
Originally, epidemiology was a term that was used to describe the spread of infectious disease. Over the course of time, that definition has expanded considerably in order to accommodate the complexity of ever-changing populations, their environments, and increasing occurrences of disease. Epidemiology is now defined as the multidisciplinary study of various states of health, causal factors, how these states of health are dispersed across a population, and ways in which the knowledge gained from these studies can be used to promote health and wellness for the entire population (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). By using the scientific method of investigation, health care professionals, including public health nurses, are able to identify the various health needs found within communities and design interventions that specifically target meeting those health needs. Due to close contact with the community, public and community health nurses have an advantage with being able to identify local disease patterns and specific cases, as well as offer education designed to prevent or control specific diseases based on risk factors and other environmental factors (Wissman, 2007).
With the predicted growth of the older adult population in the United States, the study of the elderly population is especially important within the realm of epidemiology. The elderly population makes up the fastest growing portion of
NUR 408
Epidemiology
Public health nursing allows nurses to encounter various vulnerable populations on a daily basis. In particular, the elderly make up a large portion of the population, and their vulnerability to the environment and other physical factors is a very important aspect of public health nursing. Epidemiology allows the public health nurse to study and assess vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and create interventions that maximize the health potential of all members of the public.
Definition and Description of Epidemiology
Originally, epidemiology was a term that was used to describe the spread of infectious disease. Over the course of time, that definition has expanded considerably in order to accommodate the complexity of ever-changing populations, their environments, and increasing occurrences of disease. Epidemiology is now defined as the multidisciplinary study of various states of health, causal factors, how these states of health are dispersed across a population, and ways in which the knowledge gained from these studies can be used to promote health and wellness for the entire population (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). By using the scientific method of investigation, health care professionals, including public health nurses, are able to identify the various health needs found within communities and design interventions that specifically target meeting those health needs. Due to close contact with the community, public and community health nurses have an advantage with being able to identify local disease patterns and specific cases, as well as offer education designed to prevent or control specific diseases based on risk factors and other environmental factors (Wissman, 2007).
With the predicted growth of the older adult population in the United States, the study of the elderly population is especially important within the realm of epidemiology. The elderly population makes up the fastest growing portion of
References: Abrams, W., Beers, M., & Beckow, R. (200). The Merck manual of geriatrics (3rd ed.). Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck. Baughman, R. (2004). Microbiology. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Blais, K., Hayes, J., Kozier, B., & Erb, G. (2006). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (June 24, 2011). Seasonal influenza: Flu basics. Retrieved from http://cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Stanley, M., Blair, K., & Beare, P. (2005). Gerontological nursing: Promoting successful aging with older adults (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Co.. United States Census Bureau. (2012). The older population in the United States: 2010. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/age/older-_2010.html Wissman, J. (2007). Community health: Specialty (4th ed.). Stilwell, KS: Assessment Technologies Institute.