Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
09:08
Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens
Published on: September 12, 2016
Emerging role of epidemiologic literacy
Jolaine Reierson Draugalis1, Cecilia M Plaza
1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0207, USA. draugalis@pharmacy.arizona.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|February 2, 2006
Summary
Epidemiology terminology use in pharmacy and medical literature has significantly increased over 20 years. This trend highlights the growing importance of epidemiological methods in healthcare and education.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice Research
- Medical Literature Analysis
- Public Health Communication
Background:
- Epidemiology methods are increasingly integral to pharmacy practice.
- Understanding epidemiology is crucial for pharmacy accreditation and evidence-based practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in epidemiology-related terminology usage in scientific literature over two decades.
- To quantify the changes in the frequency of epidemiological terms in key journals.
Main Methods:
- A content analysis of three pharmacy, two medical, and one public health journal.
- Data collected for publications in 1984, 1994, and 2004.
- Frequency of epidemiology terms was recorded and summed for each journal and year.
Main Results:
- A consistent increase in the proportion of articles containing epidemiology terms was observed across all journals.
- The percentage of articles with epidemiological terms rose from 7.02% in 1984 to 15.46% in 2004.
- Notable increases were seen in Pharmacotherapy (0% to 17.75%) and JAMA (7.32% to 26.72%).
Conclusions:
- The rising use of epidemiology terms indicates its growing significance in healthcare.
- Findings have implications for pharmacy curriculum development and continuing education.
- Increased use of epidemiological language supports better interprofessional communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Health Literacy
Health literacy is an individual's or a community's capacity to comprehend, receive, read, and use relevant healthcare information and services. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. As a result, the WHO helps individuals manage long-term health concerns, participate in preventative programs,...
01:26Introduction to Epidemiology
Epidemiology, known as the cornerstone of public health, involves studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events in defined populations and applying these insights to control health issues. This is essential for understanding how diseases spread, identifying populations at greater risk, and implementing measures to control or prevent outbreaks. Epidemiology addresses not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease,...
01:21Causality in Epidemiology
Causality or causation is a fundamental concept in epidemiology, vital for understanding the relationships between various factors and health outcomes. Despite its importance, there's no single, universally accepted definition of causality within the discipline. Drawing from a systematic review, causality in epidemiology encompasses several definitions, including production, necessary and sufficient, sufficient-component, counterfactual, and probabilistic models. Each has its strengths and...
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...