Epidemiology, Public Health, and You

Introduction

Remember when you had to get your immunization shots for school? If you received them at a local health department then you have witnessed a public health career. Many career opportunities exist in the public health field. Activities in this module will help you explore various public health careers. In addition, you will learn about why ethical guidelines are necessary in epidemiological research; emerging and past public health concerns; and health strategies to promote healthy lifestyles.

Essential Questions

Why are ethical guidelines important in epidemiological research?
What concerns or interests arise when considering new screening programs?
What are some careers in Public Health?
How does Healthy People 2020 fit into the overall mission of public health?
What strategies are used to promote healthy lifestyles?

Key Terms

Syphilis - a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity
Tuskegee Study - a study of the United Public Health Service that was intended to learn more about syphilis that involved treatment being withheld from African-American males
Institutional review board - a committee that has been formally designated to approve, monitor, and review biomedical and behavioral research involving humans
Microbe - A microorganism, esp. a bacterium causing disease or fermentation
Antibiotic - A medicine (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms
Antibiotic resistance - a type of drug resistance where a microorganism is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic
Healthy People initiative - a program of nationwide health-promotion and disease-prevention goals set by the United States Department of Health and Human Services
Public health - the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals
Health promotion - the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health
Social determinant - are the economic and social conditions and their distribution among the population that influence individual and group differences in health status

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