Using the data from the New York University Women\'s Health study (1985), descri

Question

Using the data from the New York University Women's Health study (1985), describe the public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.

Discuss the basic epidemiology measures used in the study. Specifically what measure of risk was used?

How was risk calculated? (Hint: Consider a 2 by 2 table to display the data).

Do you agree with the authors' conclusions?

What would you infer from the data? Why?

see data below:

Between 1985 and 1991, the NYU Women's Health Study enrolled 14,274 women at the Guttman Breast Diagnostic Institute in New York City for a study of endogenous hormones (hormones that are naturally produced by the body), diet, and risk of breast cancer. At enrollment, each woman donated a blood sample and completed a questionnaire about health conditions, reproductive history, and dietary habits. Blood samples were stored in -80°C freezers for subsequent laboratory analyses. These blood samples are used to explore biological differences between women who develop disease and women who remain disease-free. Every few years, study participants are followed-up by mail or telephone at which time they are asked to complete a questionnaire to update information on their health conditions and lifestyle. Very strict procedures are in place to ensure that information allowing identification of the NYU Women's Health Study participants is never disclosed.

The National Cancer Institute is the main source of funding of the NYU Women’s Health Study. Over the years, additional funding for specific projects has been provided by the American Cancer Association, the American Heart Association, the Department of Defense, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Explanation / Answer

.Epidemiology is used to describe the distribution of diseases in the population and to analyse the causes of these diseases. Risk factors include- the environmental factors, predisposition and behavioural characteristics. In this question the risk factor is the behavioural characteristics, i.e. Hormones. It is the case of coherent studies since the person exposed to the risk factors are compared with persons not exposed to the risk factors and are disease free. The occurrence of diseases or deaths are observed in these two groups is observed prospectively.standardized incidence ratio(SIR) and standardized mortality ratio(SMR) are used for comparison with general population. Study on breast cancer normally also examine influence factors such as menopausal status, family history, marital status and education. These variable ps should be included in the analysis, as they may be risk factors for breast cancer and are potential cofounders. Risk factors may also be effect modifiers. I.e influence of one disease modified by the presence of another factor.

Incidence and mortality- the incidence describes the number of persons in a defined population who develop a disease for the first time during a defined period in time.it is decisive for the cumulative incidence estimated that all study participants were at a risk of developing breast cancer at the start of the observation. The incidence rate considers the period in which each individual was in fact at risk of developing breast cancer and could be monitored.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse U
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.