class 505.unit 1.comment 2

Purpose: Comment the Discussion (Class 505 Unit 1 Comment 2

Thing to Remember:

Answer this discussion with opinions/ideas creatively and clearly. Supports post using several outside, peer-reviewed sources.

1 References, find resources that are 5 years or less

No errors with APA format 6 Edition

To Comment

Epidemiology is the study of the occurrence, spread, and causes of diseases across large human populations (Fletcher, Fletcher, & Fletcher, 2014).  The application of Epidemiology helps control disease and prevent morbidity and mortality.  Epidemiology serves as a cornerstone of preventative health and evidence based practice.

There are many reasons for variations in data regarding Epidemiology.  For example, if a study collects data from self-reporting then people may interpret the questions being asked differently.  Also, the definition of a disease or disorder may change over time, which makes it difficult to see if there is a true rise or fall in disease versus a change in the diagnosis frequency related to definition changes. 

In reviewing the CDC website, I really enjoyed looking at the statistics of the states.  I found it very interesting that my state, Georgia, has a much higher infant mortality rate than the US.  The data also showed that we also are 7th in preterm delivery rate and 5th in low birthweight rate, which I find interesting and wonder if our high preterm delivery rate has an impact on our infant mortality rate ("CDC - NCHS - National Center for Health Statistics," 2017).  We know that babies that are born preterm or at a low birthweight are at a much higher risk for complications.  It seems my state may need to put some focus on these two topics to decrease our infant mortality rate.  In an article about trends over the last decade, it was cited that infant mortality rates have declined (Mathews & Driscoll, 2017).  There are many campaigns like preterm labor bundles and back to sleep that are striving to continue to reduce this rate.   

 

 

References

Fletcher, R. H., Fletcher, S. W., & Fletcher, G. S. (2014). Clinical Epidemiology The Essentials Fifth Edition.

Baltimore: Lippincott

Mathews, T. J., & Driscoll, A. K. (2017). Trends in Infant Mortality in the United States, 2005-2014. NCHS

Data Brief, (279), 1-8

CDC - NCHS - National Center for Health Statistics. (2017, November 3). Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/index.htm