Epidemiography refers to the study of patterns and causes of diseases and health conditions in populations. The word is pronounced as /ɛˌpɪdəmiˈɒɡrəfi/ (eh-pi-duh-mee-OG-ruh-fee) and is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "epi," is pronounced with the short "e" sound and the letter "p" is silent. The second syllable, "demi," is pronounced with a short "i" sound and the letter "e" is silent. The final syllable, "ography," is pronounced with a short "o" sound and the letter "o" is pronounced as "ah."
Epidemiography, also known as epidemiology, is a branch of medical science that deals with the study and analysis of the distribution, determinants, and dynamics of health and disease conditions within a defined population. It involves the examination of the patterns and causes of diseases in order to better understand their occurrence and impact on different populations.
In epidemiography, researchers gather and analyze various types of data such as health records, surveys, vital statistics, and other relevant sources to identify patterns and trends in disease occurrence. They also investigate the risk factors and protective factors associated with the development and spread of diseases. This information is used to develop preventive measures, public health policies, and interventions to control and mitigate the impact of diseases on a population.
Epidemiography encompasses a wide range of research methods and statistical techniques to evaluate the role of different factors in disease patterns. It involves the study of disease frequencies, distribution by age, gender, and geographical location, and identification of potential risk factors such as genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and societal factors.
The findings from epidemiographic studies are crucial in guiding public health strategies, healthcare planning, and resource allocation. By understanding the determinants and risk factors of diseases, epidemiographic research plays a key role in the prevention, control, and management of various health conditions, ultimately contributing to the improvement of population health.
A descriptive treatise of epidemic diseases or of any particular epidemic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "epidemiography" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "epidemiology" and "graphy".
- The first part, "epidemiology", is derived from the Greek word "epidēmia", which means "prevalence" or "occurrence of disease". The word "epidēmia" is a combination of "epi" meaning "upon" or "among", and "dēmos" meaning "people" or "population". Therefore, epidemiology refers to the study of diseases among populations or the occurrence and distribution of diseases within a population.
- The second part, "graphy", is derived from the Greek word "graphia", which means "to write" or "to record". It is derived from "graphein", meaning "to draw" or "to represent".