Reference no: EM133882400

Assignment:

1. Why is a necessary cause not necessarily a sufficient cause?

2. Kenneth Rothman developed a causal model where the factors contributing to a given health-related state or event were represented by pieces of a pie, with the entire pie making up the sufficient cause for the health outcome. The health-related state or event may have more than one sufficient cause, with each sufficient cause consisting of multiple contributing factors Necessary cause Precipitating factor Predisposing factor Reinforcing factor Risk factor Rothman's causal pies Rubin causal model Specificity Strength of association Sufficient cause Temporality Time Triangle of epidemiology Web of causation that are called component causes. For example, component causes A, B, and C may be sufficient to cause a disease, but component causes A, D, and E may also be sufficient to cause the disease. In this case, A is necessary because it is required in each of the sufficient causes. Give an example that illustrates this concept.

3. In an infectious disease model, four factors often interrelate to contribute to the outbreak of a disease. List and describe these.

4. In the early 1900s, Karl Popper suggested the principle of refutation. Explain how this principle applies to modern epidemiology.

5. Which of the following best defines the method of difference?

a. AIDS is found more often in hemophiliacs, recipients of transfusions, and intravenous drug abusers, suggesting that the mode of transmission is the blood.

B. Colon cancer is comparatively much lower in Japan than in the United States. However, the number of Japanese immigrants to the United States with colon cancer risk is approaching that of people born in the United States, suggesting that lifestyle has a large influence on this cancer.

c. Coronary heart disease rates are greater in areas with higher levels of fine particulate matter in the air.

11. Match the following:

___ Predisposing factors a. Facilitate manifestation of a disease (e.g., housing)

___ Enabling factors b. Associated with definitive onset of disease (e.g., toxin)

___ Precipitating factors c. Increase level of susceptibility in a host (e.g., age)

___ Reinforcing factors d. Aggravate presence of disease (e.g., repeated exposure)

12. What is the distinction between a mediator, confounder, and moderator?