PUBH6005 Epidemiology Assessment 2 Assessment Brief 240419 ASSESSMENT BRIEF Subject Code and Title...

Question

PUBH6005 Epidemiology Assessment 2 Assessment Brief 240419
ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title PUBH6005: Epidemiology
Assessment Assessment 2: Study design, sampling and population risk
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1500 words
Learning Outcomes
This assessment addresses the following learning outcomes:

2. Recognise the role of exposure to biological,
ehavioural, social and environmental risks in disease
patterns.
3. Differentiate between different types of research
designs, including observation and experimental and
mixed methods designs
4. Assess levels of evidence and make recommendations
5. Interpret data arising from surveillance and research
studies, including rates and ratios
6. Understand the difference between association and
causation, statistical and public health significance
7. Analyse the role of epidemiology in screening and
prevention programs, and assess the sensitivity and
specificity of programs
8. Critically evaluate epidemiological studies, including
potential for bias, confounding and chance e
ors
9. Identify key health indicators and sources of data
Submission Due Sunday following the end of Module 3 (week 6) at
11:55pm AEST/AEDT*
Weighting 30%
Total Marks 100 marks
*Please Note: This time is Sydney time (AEST or AEDT). Please convert to your own time zone (eg.
Adelaide = 11:25pm).
PUBH6005 Epidemiology Assessment 2 Assessment Brief 240419
Instructions:
This assessment has two parts. PART 1 involves reading three research articles, and applying what
you have learned about epidemiological measures and study design to answer a series of short
answer questions. PART 2 requires you to consider several health issues and decide the most
appropriate study design for investigating that health issue.
PART 1
The Whitehall study is a ground-
eaking longitudinal (prospective cohort) study that clearly
demonstrated the association between social determinants of health (the social gradient) and
mo
idity and mortality (cardiovascular disease) in a population of British civil servants (Breeze et
al., 2001; Chandola et al., 2008; Marmot et al., 1978).
Read these papers and answer the following questions.
1. What is the sampling frame for each phase of the Whitehall study (Whitehall I and II)? (5
marks)
2. How was disease risk assessed (both in data collection and analysis) in each of the three
studies and why? (15 marks)
3. To what extent can the results of each of the three studies be generalised to other
populations (include reasons for your answer)? (10 marks)
4. Would it be feasible to conduct a similar study in Australia using an existing cohort such as
the 45 and up study cohort or the Australian Women’s longitudinal study cohort? Why or
why not? (20 marks)
PART 2
For each of the following scenarios identify the best study design to explore each health issue and
explain your reason for choosing this study design. Include an explanation of advantages and
disadvantages of using the selected study design and include any ethical considerations. Support
your reasons with justification and referenced examples of research studies.
1. Causal relationship between lung cancer and smoking (10 marks)
2. Association between depression and binge eating in a population of obese adolescents and
adults (10 marks)
3. Long term effects of detention on the mental and physical health of asylum seekers (10
marks)
4. Relationship between folate supplementation during pregnancy and development of autism
in offspring (10 marks)
5. Testing of a drug for use in elderly people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (10 marks)
Assessment Criteria:
 Knowledge and understanding of the appropriate use of epidemiological study designs
 Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge to the strengths and weaknesses
of different epidemiological study designs
 Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge of study design characteristics to
select the most appropriate to the study question
 General assessment criteria:
o Shows a sophisticated understanding of the key issues
PUBH6005 Epidemiology Assessment 2 Assessment Brief 240419
o Shows ability to interpret relevant information and literature in relation to chosen topic
o Demonstrates a capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts
o Shows evidence of reading beyond the required readings
o Justifies any conclusions reached with well-formed arguments and not merely assertions
o Co
ectly uses academic writing, presentation and grammar:
 Complies with academic standards of legibility, referencing and bibliographical details
(including reference list)
 Writes clearly, with accurate spelling and grammar as well as proper sentence and
paragraph construction
 Uses appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research

pubh6005assessment-brief-2t2198519-vyp1d2gt.pdf

Anju Lata · Accepted Answer

Running Head: Epidemiology
Epidemiology                                                                                                                                 2
PUBH6005- Epidemiology
Assessment 2-Study Design, Sampling and Population Risk
Student Name: 
Student Number:
Laureate International Universities
Introduction
The Whitehall studies inquired about the persistent social determinants of health (especially the prevalence of cardiovascular disease) and the rate of mortality among the Civil Servants of Britain (Olver, 2017). The study was conducted in two stages: Whitehall I and Whitehall II. These studies were conducted by Michael Marmot and identified a valid associated among the level of grade and the rate of mortality. The lower the grade in the civil services, the higher the rate of mortality. The males working at the lowest posts had three times greater mortality rate than the high post officials. Similar impact was discovered in other studies as well and was named as ‘the status syndrome’.
PART-I
Sampling Frame for Each Phase
Whitehall I started in 1967 and lasted for 10 years. It examined more than 17500 officials aged 20 to 64 years. In this study all the samples were males only.
Whitehall II was performed for 3 years from 1985 to 1988 examining approx 10,308 officials 35 to 55 year old and working at the British Civil Services (Olver, 2017). In second study one third samples were females while 2/3 were males. The data collection for the Whitehall II involved self reported questionnaire and the clinical examination. The study has completed nine phases of follow up since 1984 and still continues to deliver the results. The details of different data collection ranges for Whitewall II are as follows:
Phase 1 included age 35 to 55 years and collected data from 1984 to 1985.
Phase 2 included age 37 to 60 years and collected data from 1989 to 1990
Phase 3 included age 39 to 64 years and collected data from 1991- 1993
Phase 4 included age 42 to 65 years and collected data from 1995 to 1996
Phase 5 included age 45 to 69 and the data from 1997- 1999
Phase 6 included age 48 to 71 years and collected data for 2001
Phase 7 included age range 50 to 74 years and collected data from 2002 to 2004
Phase 8 involved age 53 to 76 years and collected data from 2006
Phase 9 involved age 55 to 80 years and collected data from 20007 to 2009
Phase 10 was carried out in 2011 and
Phase 11 in 2012
The study sample involved working age people (employed in government jobs in London offices at civil services) at different posts ranging from topmost administrators to the lowest grade employees. It explored the role of different factors like stress, health and work in influencing the mortality rate at all the levels.
	Assessing the Disease Risk
In each of the three diseases, the disease risk was evaluated by identifying their association with mortality rates. During the initial data collection in Whitehall I, the leading cause of high mortality rate among the lower grade employees was identified as Coronary Heart Disease. The employees working at lower grades were found to have higher rates of mortality. Additionally, they were unable to afford the high cost treatments of the disease.
In Whitehall II, the majority of deaths among the servants were due to cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure (Olver, 2017).

PUBH6005 Epidemiology Assessment 2 Assessment Brief 240419 ASSESSMENT BRIEF Subject Code and Title PUBH6005: Epidemiology Assessment Assessment 2: Study design, sampling and population risk...

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