NURS 8002: Epidemiology and Population Health

NURS 8002: Epidemiology and Population Health

Welcome to Epidemiology and Population Health!

Epidemiology is a discipline in constant development. Although once limited to infectious diseases, it is a complex field that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach. Today epidemiology encompasses both infectious and chronic diseases, as well as other health-related conditions, with attention to the influence of environmental, genetic, and psychosocial factors. It touches a variety of health fields (e.g., healthcare administration, clinical medicine, and nursing) and crosses national boundaries to address global health concerns. This course introduces the rationale and methods of epidemiology, which serve a vital role for understanding and addressing population health issues.

As a nurse engaged in advanced practice, you will find these principles to be invaluable as you lead efforts to promote positive health outcomes at the aggregate level.

In this course, you will examine various observational and analytic study designs within epidemiology, primary and secondary data sources, epidemiologic measures, sources of error, and ethical issues relevant to research. A prominent feature of this course will be the review of the literature and the use of appropriate data sources, which is a critical step for measuring the association between exposure to risk factors and outcomes related to population health problems. The overarching goal is to be able to apply epidemiologic research findings to evidence-based practice.

You will design a program proposal for a chronic health issue that builds from the findings of epidemiological research, which will help you refine the skills and perspective needed to be a successful advocate for social change.

Again, welcome to the course!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Advanced practice nurses frequently apply epidemiologic concepts to inform evidence-based practice. Students in this course are provided with an overview of epidemiologic methods in the study of the distribution and etiology of disease and health-related conditions in human populations. Students examine select population health issues such as chronic and infectious diseases and effects of disasters and emergencies. Throughout this course, students gain a deeper understanding of the various research designs and methodologies professionals use in epidemiologic research and their relevance to population-based nursing practice. Consideration is given to study designs, primary and secondary data sources, epidemiologic measures, sources of error, and ethical issues relevant to research. Students apply epidemiologic methods to the development of a program proposal for a population health issue.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

For DNP students:

• NURS 8002/8006: Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice

For MSN students:

• NURS 6002/6003: Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Analyze the history and role of nurses in advancing population health
2. Apply epidemiologic concepts and approaches to population-based nursing practice
3. Evaluate uses, strengths, and limitations of epidemiologic data sources
4. Analyze epidemiologic study designs and their utility
5. Critique epidemiologic literature 
6. Analyze cultural and ethical issues that influence epidemiologic practices and population health
7. Apply epidemiologic principles to the elimination of health inequities and prevention and improvement of health-related outcomes
8. Apply concepts, theories, and methods of program design to population health issues

Course Summary:

Sample NURS 8301 Week 1 POPULATION HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGY THEN AND NOW

When discussing population health, the first thing that should be done is identifying exactly what it is. The New York State Department of Health defines population health as “the health status and health outcomes within a group of people rather than considering the health of one person at a time” (n.d.). Next is understanding how that has changed over time. One of the main ways to identify the change in population health over time is by looking at the mortality rates in populations over a period of time (Mackenbach, 2020). Over the last century or so, the mortality rates have gone down while life expectancy rates have risen (having an inverse relationship).

In order to fully understand this trend a basis in epidemiology is also needed as earlier population health was more focused on combatting communicable diseases compared to modern practices. Epidemiology is defined by the National Institutes of Health as, “the branch of medical science that investigates all the factors that determine the presence or absence of diseases and disorders. Epidemiological research helps us to understand how many people have a disease or disorder, if those numbers are changing, and how the disorder affects our society and our economy” (2011). In other words, population health is influenced by epidemiology by the data produced; if it is noticed that a particular group or population is experiencing influenza at a higher rate (data gathered by epidemiological study), then population health’s goal is to reduce that incidence through some kind of intervention (hand washing stations around the community, masking efforts, etc.). This has changed over time with economic development and resources. This is best put by Mackenbach (2020),

…long-term trends in population health have been the result of many superimposed disease-specific trends, and the latter are more often than not characterized by a distinct pattern of ‘rise-and-fall’. One way to understand this endless succession of ‘rises-and-falls’ is to regard them as an accompaniment of socioeconomic development. As a result of the drive for socioeconomic improvement, and the changes in behaviour associated with this drive, mankind is continuously confronted with new disease risks. However, because higher levels of development also bring higher living standards and a greater desire and capacity to control disease, after some time these disease risks decline again (but often to be replaced by new disease risks)

As noted from the above quotation this increase in life expectancy has allowed population health to take on a bigger role in health outcomes, focusing not only on physical health but on mental, social and financial health as well.

Nursing’s role in these concepts came into view primarily in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. When prominent individuals spearheaded the integration of individual and community-centered healthcare. They grasped the importance of environmental factors on health and advocated for better sanitation, public health education, and community nursing methods. Their efforts were crucial in shifting healthcare’s focus from individual patients to a broader perspective on population health, laying the groundwork for modern population health nursing.

Nurses can influence population health today in a multitude of different ways, the first being that nursing is still one of the most trusted professions in the country (University at Buffalo, 2024). This allows nurses to be very influential when discussing health matters, whether individual or population based. Putting out information from a trusted profession improves the chances of a better reception, this in turn can lead to a more positive long-term outcome. Nurses are traditionally the “boots on the ground” healthcare personnel, as such we are traditionally already engaged with the communities and populations we serve. Giving us an easier insight into the challenges that might be faced. Ultimately though there is no magic bullet when it comes to population health and so the main thing that needs to be done when trying to affect positive change is to partner with the population you are trying to serve.

References:

Mackenbach, J. P. (2020). Chapter 2: Long-term Trends in Population Health. In A History of Population Health. Brill. Retrieved from https://brill.com/display/book/9789004429130/BP000003.xml

National Institutes of Health. (2011). What is Epidemiology. Retrieved from National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/what-epidemiology

New York State Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/events/population_health_summit/docs/what_is_population_health.pdf

University at Buffalo. (2024, January 25). Nurses most trusted profession in new Gallup survey. Retrieved from UBNow: https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/briefs/2024/01/nurses-gallup.html#:~:text=Nurses%20once%20again%20ranked%20at,of%20UB%27s%20School%20of%20Nursing.