Chapter 4: Nursing Resources for Epidemiology

Introduction Data collection and analysis is a core area of epidemiology. Epidemiologists gather data from physicians, laboratories, clinics, public health organizations, automated surveillance systems. Public health organizations conduct community epidemiological research studies.

Public Health Informatics (1 of 3) Application of information and computer science to public health practice, research, and learning. Demanding because of constantly emerging public health emergency situations. Surveillance reporting systems alert professionals in shortest possible time.

Public Health Informatics (2 of 3) Rapid dissemination of data is possible. Greatly contributes to globalization of public health. Conversion to electronic medical records in hospitals is an example. Surveillance examples – Medical Electronic Disease Surveillance Information System

Public Health Informatics (3 of 3) Surveillance examples (cont’d) – Electronic Laboratory Reporting – Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance – CDC’s BioSense System Challenges include: – Maintenance of data quality – Access to monitoring systems – Internet dependency, ethics, security

Major Databanks in the United States—Agencies That Maintain Them (1 of 2) Administration on Aging Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Food and Drug Administration

Major Databanks in the United States—Agencies That Maintain Them (2 of 2) Health Resources and Services Administration Indian Health Services National Institutes of Health Office of Public Health and Science Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

National Surveys and Data Collection Systems in the United States National Health Care Surveys National Health Interview Survey National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Immunization Survey National Survey of Family Growth National Vital Statistics System

The Internet: Mantra of the Modern Age (1 of 4) The Internet is a complex global networking system. Running on the Internet, the World Wide Web functions like a databank that holds information and links documents. Web browsers are used to retrieve and exchange information through the Web.

The Internet: Mantra of the Modern Age (2 of 4) Search engines such as Google aid in retrieval of documents. The Internet allows timely exchange of information. – Almost instantaneous with s Health education programs can be created online.

The Internet: Mantra of the Modern Age (3 of 4) Complete information on diseases, treatments, and research is available on websites. In cases of public health emergencies: – Action and alternate plans can be accessed through continuously updated information websites. – Surveys can be deployed, health data collected or monitored. – Public health decisions can be made. – Partnerships can be developed with multiple organizations to share data online.

The Internet: Mantra of the Modern Age (4 of 4) Risks of Internet use – Increases in risky behavior – Emotional disorders related to frequency of use – Questionable reliability or completeness of information – Challenges of adapting to changing technology – Expenses related to computer/Internet use

Websites for Epidemiological Research The text lists websites divided into these categories: – International public health organizations – U.S. public health organizations – Research databases – Public health journals – Search engines

Nationally Notifiable Infectious Diseases (United States) Compiled and updated regularly by the CDC and state and public health departments. The text gives the list from 2010.

International Data Banks and Resources—Agencies That Maintain Them European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Public Health Agency of Canada Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom Institut de Veille Sanitaire, France Public Health Foundation of India Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong