NUR 550 Topic 2 DQ 1 Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research
NUR 550 Topic 2 DQ 1 Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research
NUR 550 Topic 2 DQ 1 Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research
Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research. Describe the role of epidemiology in researching and addressing population health challenges. How are epidemiology and biostatistics significant to your evidence-based practice proposal?
Re: Topic 2 DQ 1
Biostatisticians study diseases and potential behaviors and health risks for the local environment (The University of Nevada, 2020). Biostatisticians utilize research like qualitative and quantitative studies to research certain public health risks related to the local environment and attempt to provide information on how these problems can be addressed and eradicated in the area (The University of Nevada, 2020). There are several things that biostatistics research does in the Public Health realm including environmental factors, cancer research, statistical genetics, and human growth and development (The University of Nevada, 2020). Epidemiology focuses most on how and entire population is affected utilizing distribution and determination (The University of Nevada, 2020). With Distribution they are looking at the frequencies of disease processes and the trends in an area (The University of Nevada, 2020). With determination they look at cause and effect, risk factors and any underlying causes (The University of Nevada, 2020). Epidemiologists focus on areas like infectious diseases, environmental issues, noninfectious diseases, injuries, natural disasters and acts of terror (The University of Nevada, 2020). My personal project proposal involved the epidemiology of Syphilis and its rampant spread through Alaska (Berman, 2020). The epidemiology of the spread of this STD shifted since 2019 into 2020 and has spread even faster than before, due to the nursing focus being on Covid-19 patients (Berman, 2020).
The University of Nevada, Reno. (2020, November 17). Epidemiology vs. Biostatistics: Understanding Their Roles in Public Health. University of Nevada, Reno. https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/blog/epidemiology-vs-biostatistics/
Berman, A. (2020, July 31). Alaska’s syphilis cases more than doubled in a year, and COVID-19 has complicated outbreak response. Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/07/30/alaskas-syphilis-cases-have-doubled-in-the-past-year-and-covid-19-has-complicated-outbreak-response/#:%7E:text=The%20state’s%20syphilis%20outbreak%20was,in%20heterosexual%20men%20and%20women.
RESPOND HERE (150 WORDS, 2 REFERENCES)
Hello Sara,
I do agree with you that biostatistics and epidemiology help in qualitative and quantitative analysis of diseases hence provide crucial information for public health departments. It is crucial in developing the appropriate intervention measures that curb the spread of the disease and its fatality (Jackson et al., 2021). The department of health services in collaboration with other non- governmental

organizations are responsible for informing the members of the public on the epidemiology of number of health conditions. Some of the information shared by the epidemiologists often quantifies the disease by providing details on how many people are affected by a disease or a health condition. This quantifying process is a complex one and takes into account three critical measures of the disease, that is; frequency, prevalence, and incidence (MacDonald & Hsu, 2021). The aspect of frequency involves the counts of the people affected and it is achieved through carrying out disease surveillance. The prevalence of a disease refers to the proportion that gives a quick view of the population level disease burden at a given time (MacDonald & Hsu, 2021). The concept of incidence in epidemiology refers to the average risk of developing the disease over a period of time.
References
MacDonald, I., & Hsu, J.-L. (2021). Epidemiological observations on breaking COVID-19 transmission: from the experience of Taiwan. J Epidemiol Community Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2020-216240
Jackson, M. L., Ferdinands, J., Nowalk, M. P., Zimmerman, R. K., Kieke, B., Gaglani, M., Murthy, K., Petrie, J. G., Martin, E. T., Chung, J. R., Flannery, B., & Jackson, L. A. (2021). Differences between Frequentist and Bayesian inference in routine surveillance for influenza vaccine effectiveness: a test-negative case-control study. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10543-z
NUR 550 Topic 2 DQ 1 Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research
Re: Topic 2 DQ 1
Biostatistics, or the application of statistical analysis when developing, analyzing and improving population health studies, is essential to population health research. This is because the subfield of epidemiology focuses on disease progress and tracking over time, and how that impacts a population’s health (Weill Cornell Medicine, 2021). By effective collection, analysis and review of this information, clinicians, policy makers and community members can make more informed decisions on how to address a population’s biggest barriers to achieving high quality overall health.
In contrast, epidemiology is the study of what is upon the people. To be more specific, what causes health in a population, to ultimately understand how to utilize this knowledge to reduce the risk of illness and disease for the same group of people (Nash et. al, 2021). This is similar to the phrase population health, which has been identified by Garmon et. al as a model to review, disseminate information and take action to empower communities to be the healthiest they can be (2017). Epidemiology is an essential piece in researching and addressing population health challenges, because it allows for quantitative and qualitative study of a specific population’s health, how it has come to be, and understanding the data that supports the claim as evidence. By use of data and trend analysis, population health challenges can be combatted by way of focusing on key determinants of its health, and integrating policy, resources, education and other interventions as a way to improve the population’s overall health (Nash et. al, 2021).
Epidemiology and biostatistics are significant to my evidence-based practice proposal as I must utilize elements of biostatistics in understanding the emergency department stroke patient population. Additionally, epidemiology will assist me to understand how stroke impacts the community at large, and how it came to be one of the primary foci of community education and initiative across the United States. Ultimately, I look forward to developing a PICOT that addresses this gap in quality care for a critical and widespread patient population.
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