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Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies.

In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving methodology and demonstrate how it can be used in a wide variety of settings to identify problems, propose solutions, and evaluate interventions. This methodology depends on the use of reliable data, so we'll take a deep dive into the routine and public health data systems that lie at the heart of epidemiology and then conclude with how you can use that data to calculate measures of disease burden in populations.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and Problem-Solving Methodology

In this module, we will introduce the problem solving methodology. This methodology is a powerful tool that can useful when identifying a public health problem, building the case that there truly is a problem, suggesting interventions, and suggestions ways to evaluate the interventions and disseminate the findings of the evaluation.

Data Sources in Public Health

In this module, we dive deeper into what lies at the heart of epidemiology: data! More specifically, we will look at routine and public health data systems.

Measures of Disease Burden

In this module we will use data from routine and public health information systems to measure the burden of disease in the population. We will calculate crude mortality rates, and then apply direct and indirect age standardization methods.

Health Indicators

In this module, we'll discuss health indicators, which are important measurements of the health of a population. There are numerous health indicators that help us paint the picture of a populations health. We'll talk about characteristics of good health indicators to provide a little guidance on how to choose health indicators for the public health problem of interest. Then, we'll use the example of the health indicator of liver cancer incidence to explore descriptive epidemiology. We will stratify liver cancer incidence by person, place, and time, to build our skills in descriptive epidemiology.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course provides a solid foundation in epidemiology, which is essential for public health professionals

Taught by experienced epidemiologists, this course offers practical insights and examples

Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from problem-solving methodologies to measures of disease burden

Requires basic knowledge of statistics and public health

May be more suitable for individuals with prior experience in epidemiology or public health

Hands-on exercises and case studies enhance understanding of concepts

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Reviews summary

Data analysis for health indicators

Learners say that "Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice" is an engaging and worthwhile course that delves into the fundamentals of epidemiology and its application in public health. The course is especially lauded for its practical exercises that help learners to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. Furthermore, learners appreciate the clear and concise explanations provided by the instructor, making complex concepts easier to understand.

Knowledgeable, experienced, and engaging

"The instructor of the course was very knowledgeable and patient."

"Dr. Althof is amazing and very dedicated."

"She Is a great Teacher"

Clear, concise, and informative

"The course was well structured with relevant examples and practice sessions."

"it is indeed a very comprehensive, clear and outstanding course"

"There is a lot of relatively new information here even for an intermediate-level public health worker, "

Hands-on, practical, and applicable

"Practical work allowed me to learn more and get the tools to perform my own analysis in the future"

"Very good course with strong exercises that include handling data in excel."

"Excellent introduction to health indicators! Easy to learn and follow!"

Practical and relevant to public health practice

"Very informative and simplified for everyone to understand simply."

"It is an important course to define details on the professional aspects of epidemiology."

"Helped me reiterate public health practice skills set"

Can be challenging for beginners

"This course was very challenging"

"The last week of course I found the easiest to grasp. A lot of information to grasp and great reference points."

"I think it's difficult for beginners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice with these activities:

Learn about data analysis software

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Gain proficiency in using software tools to analyze epidemiological data.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Follow tutorials on data analysis software
Practice using the software to analyze data

Read 'Fundamentals of Epidemiology'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of epidemiology.

View Epidemiology on Amazon

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Brush up on data visualization

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Review data visualization techniques to strengthen your ability to present epidemiological data.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Review scatterplots, bar graphs, and histograms
Practice creating visualizations using data analysis software

Four other activities

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Participate in study groups

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Collaborate with peers to reinforce your understanding of epidemiology concepts.

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Form or join a study group
Discuss course material and case studies

Compile a glossary of epidemiology terms

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Strengthen your understanding of epidemiology by creating a reference of key terms.

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Identify and define key terms
Organize the terms into a glossary

Develop a public health intervention plan

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Create a plan to improve health outcomes based on your understanding of epidemiology.

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Identify a public health problem
Research the causes and risk factors
Develop an intervention strategy
Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention

Develop an infographic on a public health topic

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Enhance your understanding of epidemiology by creating a visual representation of a public health issue.

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Choose a public health topic
Research and gather data
Design and create the infographic

Career center

Learners who complete Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease, injury, or other health problems in populations. They use this information to identify trends, develop prevention strategies, and evaluate public health programs to improve the health of communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. Data Analysts may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. This course may be useful for Data Analysts interested in using Epidemiology to analyze health data and identify opportunities for improving population health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Public Health Scientist

Public Health Scientists conduct research to improve the health of communities and populations. Public Health Scientists may specialize in areas such as disease surveillance, environmental health, or epidemiology. This course may be useful for Public Health Scientists interested in using Epidemiology to identify causes of disease, evaluate health programs, and develop prevention strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Scientist

Statistician

Statisticians apply statistical methods to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. Statisticians may work in a variety of fields, including public health, healthcare, and research. This course may be useful for Statisticians interested in using Epidemiology to analyze health data and evaluate the effectiveness of health programs.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts analyze health policies and programs to assess their impact on population health. Health Policy Analysts may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or research institutions. This course may be useful for Health Policy Analysts interested in using Epidemiology to evaluate the effectiveness of health policies and programs and to identify opportunities for improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Coordinators manage clinical research studies and ensure that they are conducted according to ethical and regulatory guidelines. They work closely with researchers, physicians, and patients to ensure that the study is carried out efficiently and effectively. This course may be useful for Clinical Research Coordinators interested in using Epidemiology to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions and to identify opportunities for improving patient care.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses provide nursing care and health education to individuals, families, and communities. Public Health Nurses work in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and community centers. This course may be useful for Public Health Nurses interested in using Epidemiology to identify health problems, develop prevention strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs.

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Health Informatics Specialist

Health Informatics Specialists design, implement, and manage health information systems. Health Informatics Specialists work with healthcare providers, administrators, and patients to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of health information. This course may be useful for Health Informatics Specialists interested in using Epidemiology to analyze health data and to develop and implement health information systems that support public health practice.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs and materials to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to provide information and resources on a variety of health topics.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and support to individuals and families in their communities. Community Health Workers work with a variety of populations, including low-income families, people with chronic diseases, and the elderly. This course may be useful for Community Health Workers interested in using Epidemiology to identify health problems in their communities and to develop and implement prevention strategies.

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Demographer

Demographers study the size, composition, and distribution of populations. Demographers may work in a variety of fields, including public health, sociology, and economics. This course may be useful for Demographers interested in using Epidemiology to analyze population health data and to identify trends and patterns in the distribution of disease.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help individuals, families, and communities to address social, emotional, and economic problems. Social Workers may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and mental health clinics. This course may be useful for Social Workers interested in using Epidemiology to identify social and economic factors that contribute to health problems and to develop and evaluate social work interventions.

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Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialists identify and assess environmental hazards and develop and implement strategies to protect public health. Environmental Health Specialists work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies. This course may be useful for Environmental Health Specialists interested in using Epidemiology to identify environmental risk factors for disease and to develop and evaluate environmental health programs.

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Health Services Manager

Health Services Managers plan, direct, and coordinate health care services in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They collaborate with healthcare teams to develop and implement policies, procedures, and programs to improve patient care and ensure the efficient operation of healthcare organizations.

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Physician

A Physician serves as an expert in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients' illnesses and injuries. Physicians may choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics, cardiology, or oncology. This course may be useful for Physicians interested in using Epidemiology to improve population health and evaluate health programs and policies.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice.

Epidemiology for Public Health Practice

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Is commonly used as a textbook in epidemiology courses. It is helpful in providing background and prerequisite knowledge.

Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Data analysis for health indicators

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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