PH 622: Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
Mondays, 10:00 A.M., HT 183
Spring, 2011
Instructor
Graduate Assistant
Dr. Carol Macera (Epidemiology)
105 Hardy Tower; 619-594-3453
cmacera@mail.sdsu.edu
Office hours
After class on Mondays or by appointment
Description
Chronic diseases (such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes) account for more
than 70% of the annual deaths in the U.S. In this course we will discuss epidemiological
aspects of the leading causes of death and disability with a focus on risk factors that can
be modified. We will also discuss various approaches to the study of these diseases or
conditions from a population perspective.
Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 List the major causes of disability and premature mortality in the United States.
 List the risk factors for each of the leading chronic diseases.
 Describe the differential risk for men and women for the leading causes of death
and disability.
 Present a detailed description of the epidemiology of one chronic disease.
 Perform an Internet search for information related to specific chronic diseases and
conditions.
Group Assignment
Working in teams, each student will select one of several chronic disease topics. Along
with other students selecting that topic, the team will make a presentation on a narrowly
defined chronic disease or condition within that topic area (must be approved by
instructor). For each specific topic area, the team will address the following in its
presentation:
a. Scope of the problem
b. Basic epidemiology
i. trends over time
ii. risk factors and major studies
c. Economic consequences (if known)
d. Prevention opportunities
e. Next steps for understanding the etiology of the problem
f. Summary slide
Syllabus for PH 622 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
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All material should be referenced and these should be placed in small type on the
appropriate slide rather than at the end of the presentation. At the end of the presentation,
the major points should be summarized. The team will also provide 5 exam questions
(multiple choice, short answer, or true/false).
Each member of the team will work on some aspect of the presentation but does not need
to be an actual presenter. Presentations should be about 25-30 minutes (approximately
30-45 slides). PowerPoint files should be sent to the instructor by the Friday prior to the
Monday presentation so that others in the class will have an opportunity to download the
file from Blackboard.
Discussion
We will use the class discussion boards to explore our weekly health topics. Your
participation in these discussions is a key part of your overall evaluation. The Discussion
Boards typically last one week. They begin on Monday and end on Sunday, midnight, of
the same week. You are required to make at least 2 posting of substance for each
discussion board assignment. You are advised to go onto the discussion board early in
the week to respond to the instructor's initial postings, then near the end of the week to
continue the conversation and interact with your fellow students and your instructor. You
should plan on reviewing the discussion board near the end of the final day that it is
active to catch all of the postings.
Exams
There will be 2 exams (a midterm and a final), each covering material from the preceding
lectures. Both exams will have a combination of multiple-choice and true/false,
questions.
Evaluation
Students must meet all of the learning objectives to successfully complete this course.
Grading will be based on attendance and participation in class and in the discussion board
(25%), completion of midterm exam (25%) and final (25%) exam, and group presentation
(25%). Letter grades will be assigned using the following point breakdown:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-
93-100
90-92
87-89
84-86
80-83
77-79
74-76
70-73
Readings
There is no text for this class. PowerPoint files and additional materials will be posted on
BlackBoard.
Syllabus for PH 622 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
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Other Notices
Course Syllabus Subject to Change:
Every effort will be made to follow the syllabus content and schedule. If circumstances
dictate, there may be modifications made during the semester and every effort will be
made to notify students in a timely manner.
Course Policies:
San Diego State University is dedicated to a safe, supportive and nondiscriminatory
environment. It is the responsibility of all students to familiarize themselves with
University policies regarding nondiscrimination, misconduct and academic honesty.
Statement on Nondiscrimination Policy:
San Diego State University complies with the requirements of Title VI and Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as other applicable federal and state laws prohibiting
discrimination. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin be
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination in any program of the California State University. SDSU does not
discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its programs and activities. Students should direct inquires concerning
San Diego State University’s compliance with all relevant disability laws to the Direct of
Student Disability Services (SDS), Calpulli Center, Room 3101, San Diego State
University, San Diego, CA 92128 or call 619059406473 (TDD:619-59402929). SDSU
does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation in the educational
programs or activities it conducts. More detail on SDSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy can
be found the SDSU General Catalog, University Policies.
Student Conduct and Grievances
SDSU is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment
for students, faculty and staff. Sections 41301, Standards for Student Conduct, and
Sections 41302-41304 of SDSU Policies regarding student conduct should be review. If
a student believes that a professor’s treatment is grossly unfair or that a professor’s
behavior is clearly unprofessional, the student may bring the complaint to the proper
authorities. See SDSU policies on Student Grievances.
Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic
dishonesty that are intended to gain unfair academic advantage. See section 41301 of the
University policies. Plagiarism is defined as ‘formal work publicly misrepresented as
original; it is any activity wherein one person knowingly, directly and for lucre, status,
recognition, or any public gain resorts to the published or unpublished work of another in
order to represent it as one’s own. Any work, in whole or in part, taken from the Internet
or other computer-base source without referencing the source is considered plagiarism.
Syllabus for PH 622 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
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Americans with Disabilities Act (DA) Accommodation
The University is committed to providing reasonable academic accommodation to
students with disabilities. The Student Disability Services Office provides university
academic support services and specialized assistance to students with disabilities.
Individuals with physical, perceptual, or learning disabilities as addressed by the
Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Student Disability Services for
information regarding accommodations. Please notify your instructor so that reasonable
efforts can be made to accommodate you. If you expect accommodation through the Act,
contact the Student Disability Services Office
(http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/dss/dss_home.html) at (619) 594-6473.
Syllabus for PH 622 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
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PH 622: Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health
Mondays 10am, HT 183
Date
Topic
Lecturer
Jan 24
Introduction and overview; class requirements
Group Assignments
Research methods in chronic disease
Dr. Macera
Jan 31
Behavioral Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases
Dr. Macera
Feb 7
Physical Activity Throughout the Lifespan
Dr. Macera
Feb 14
Diabetes
Dr. Wingard
Feb 21
Cardiovascular Disease
Dr. Allison
Feb 28
Ethnic Health Disparities
Dr. Araneta
Mar 7
Cancer
Dr. Macera
Mar 14
Epidemiology of Violence
Dr. Lindsay
Mar 21
Exam #1 –
Mar 28
Spring Break – No class
Apr 4
Mental Health
Dr. Macera
Apr 11
Reproductive Health
Dr. Macera
Apr 18
Arthritis and Disability
Dr. Macera
Apr 25
Sleep Disorders
Dr. Loredo
May 2
Chronic Diseases in Developing Countries
Dr. Macera
May 9
Exam #2 –
Syllabus for PH 622 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
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