2023
Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Public Health
Name: Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Public Health
Code: CMS14343L
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Health Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
Acquisition of knowledge in the context of public health on: population health status for health promotion and disease prevention; ethical principles of clinical research; models and determinants of the health-disease process; concepts and techniques of epidemiology in clinical research.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
1. Acquire knowledge and skills in the field of public health-epidemiology.
2. Recognize epidemiology as the branch of public health that studies the distribution of the disease in populations, and the factors that influence/determine it.
In the end students should be able to:
I. Knowing:
- Concepts inherent to public health and epidemiology
- Ethical principles associated with public health and clinical research
- The models and determinants of the health-disease process
- The different designs of studies in epidemiology
II. Develop self-learning, research and choice of information, synthesis, communication and critical reading skills
III. Describe the concepts of Public Health and Epidemiology, and historical evolution
IV. Recognize the determinants of health in the course of some diseases
V. Characterize population health measures and indicators
VI. Identify different health systems and policies
2. Recognize epidemiology as the branch of public health that studies the distribution of the disease in populations, and the factors that influence/determine it.
In the end students should be able to:
I. Knowing:
- Concepts inherent to public health and epidemiology
- Ethical principles associated with public health and clinical research
- The models and determinants of the health-disease process
- The different designs of studies in epidemiology
II. Develop self-learning, research and choice of information, synthesis, communication and critical reading skills
III. Describe the concepts of Public Health and Epidemiology, and historical evolution
IV. Recognize the determinants of health in the course of some diseases
V. Characterize population health measures and indicators
VI. Identify different health systems and policies
Contents
1. Introduction to Public Health
- Historic evolution.
- Natural history of the disease.
- Community health measures.
- Health indicators.
2. Epidemiology
- Historical context;
- Successes of epidemiology;
- Definitions and scope of epidemiology;
- Epidemiological measures of health and disease (frequency, association and impact);
- Cross-sectional studies;
- Ecological studies
- Cohort studies;
- Case-control studies;
- Intervention studies;
- Interpretation of the results of epidemiological studies.
3. Case studies.
- Historic evolution.
- Natural history of the disease.
- Community health measures.
- Health indicators.
2. Epidemiology
- Historical context;
- Successes of epidemiology;
- Definitions and scope of epidemiology;
- Epidemiological measures of health and disease (frequency, association and impact);
- Cross-sectional studies;
- Ecological studies
- Cohort studies;
- Case-control studies;
- Intervention studies;
- Interpretation of the results of epidemiological studies.
3. Case studies.
Teaching Methods
Teaching/learning is carried out through the integration of: i) theoretical classes using expository methods and active pedagogy; ii) theoretical-practical classes for discussion of works involving: a) discussion and critical analysis of scientific articles using different methodologies and designs of epidemiological studies b) design of a study protocol to answer a research question proposed by the teacher. The final learning assessment results from the continuous assessment process of the work developed/presented throughout the semester (40%) and by a final exam (60%).
