Assignment 2: Defining the Problem and Research Methods Sections 1 and 2 of Major Assessment 7: Using an Epidemiological Approach to Critically Analyze a Population Health Problem How do culture and environment influence health? What role does personality play in health outcomes? How do stressful life events influence disease? As a health care professional, you have most likely witnessed the influence of psychosocial factors on individual health. These factors also have a significant impact on population health. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as degenerative diseases, can be studied at the population level through the use of epidemiologic methods (Friis, 2014). The insights gained from this type of research can then positively impact health outcomes locally, nationally, and globally. As you continue working on Assignment 2, which is due by Thursday 04/05/2018 Day 5 of this week , consider how psychosocial factors influence your population and population health issue. To complete: In 5–6 pages, APA format with a minimum of five (5) scholarly references (see list of required readings below), write the following sections of your paper: Section 1: The Problem 1) Introduction (ending with a purpose statement: “the purpose of this paper is…) 2) A brief outline of the environment you selected (i.e., home, workplace, school) 3) A summary of your selected population health problem in terms of person, place, and time, and the magnitude of the problem based on data from appropriate data resources (Reference the data resources you used.) 4) Research question/hypothesis (same as the one in assignment 1. I’m including an attachment of assignment 1 you did for me). Section 2: Research Methods 1) The epidemiologic study design you would use to assess and address your population health problem 2) Assessment strategies (i.e., if you were conducting a case-control study, how would you select your cases and controls? Regarding the methods and tools, you would use to make these selections, how is it convenient for you as the researcher or as the investigator to use this tool?) 3) Summary of the data collection activities (i.e., how you would collect data—online survey, paper/pen, mailing, etc.) 4) Conclusion of the whole paper. Required Readings Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2014). Epidemiology for public health practice (5th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Chapter 10, “Data Interpretation Issues” Chapter 15, “Social, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Epidemiology” Appendix A – Guide to the Critical Appraisal of an Epidemiologic/Public Health Research Article In Chapter 10, the authors describe issues related to data interpretation and address the main types of research errors that need to be considered when conducting epidemiologic research, as well as when analyzing published results. It also presents techniques for reducing bias. Chapter 15 features psychosocial, behavioral, ...

1. Assignment 2: Defining the Problem and Research Methods
Sections 1 and 2 of Major Assessment 7: Using an
Epidemiological Approach to Critically Analyze a Population
Health Problem
How do culture and environment influence health? What role
does personality play in health outcomes? How do stressful life
events influence disease? As a health care professional, you
have most likely witnessed the influence of psychosocial factors
on individual health. These factors also have a significant
impact on population health. Chronic conditions such as high
blood pressure and heart disease, as well as degenerative
diseases, can be studied at the population level through the use
of epidemiologic methods (Friis, 2014). The insights gained
from this type of research can then positively impact health
outcomes locally, nationally, and globally.
As you continue working on Assignment 2, which is due
by Thursday 04/05/2018 Day 5 of this week
, consider how psychosocial factors influence your population
and population health issue.
To complete:
In 5–6 pages, APA format with a minimum of five (5) scholarly
references (see list of required readings below), write the
following sections of your paper:

2. Section 1: The Problem
1) Introduction (ending with a purpose statement: “the purpose
of this paper is…)
2) A brief outline of the environment you selected (i.e., home,
workplace, school)
3) A summary of your selected population health problem in
terms of person, place, and time, and the magnitude of the
problem based on data from appropriate data resources
(Reference the data resources you used.)
4) Research question/hypothesis (same as the one in assignment
1. I’m including an attachment of assignment 1 you did for me).
Section 2: Research Methods
1) The epidemiologic study design you would use to assess and
address your population health problem
2) Assessment strategies (i.e., if you were conducting a case-
control study, how would you select your cases and controls?
Regarding the methods and tools, you would use to make these
selections, how is it convenient for you as the researcher or as
the investigator to use this tool?)
3) Summary of the data collection activities (i.e., how you

3. would collect data—online survey, paper/pen, mailing, etc.)
4) Conclusion of the whole paper.
Required Readings
Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2014). Epidemiology for public
health practice (5th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Chapter 10, “Data Interpretation Issues”
Chapter 15, “Social, Behavioral, and Psychosocial
Epidemiology”
Appendix A – Guide to the Critical Appraisal of an
Epidemiologic/Public Health Research Article
In Chapter 10, the authors describe issues related to data
interpretation and address the main types of research errors that
need to be considered when conducting epidemiologic research,
as well as when analyzing published results. It also presents
techniques for reducing bias. Chapter 15 features psychosocial,
behavioral, and social epidemiology. Appendix A includes
criteria to consider when reading an empirical journal article.
Elliott, A. M., Smith, B. H., Penny, K., Smith, W. C., &
Chambers, W. A. (1999). The epidemiology of chronic pain in

4. the community. The Lancet, 354(9186), 1248–1252.
This article describes an early epidemiologic study on chronic
pain. Carefully review this article noting the structure of the
research design, assessment and data collection, and analysis
strategies. You will refer to this article for Discussion 2.
Oppenheimer, G. M. (2010). Framingham Heart Study: The first
20 years. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 53(1), 55–61.
The Framingham Heart Study is a landmark epidemiologic study
that began in the 1940s. The author of this article reviews the
history of the Framingham Heart Study and its contribution to
population health. As you read this article, consider any sources
of bias or potential conflict of interest. You will refer to this
article for Discussion 2.
Phillips, C. V., & Goodman, K. J. (2004). The missed lessons of
Sir Austin Bradford Hill. Epidemiologic Perspectives &
Innovations, 1(3). Retrieved from
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1742-5573/1/3
In 1965, Austin Bradford Hill worked on a paper that has
become a standard in public health and epidemiologic study
about how to make decisions based on epidemiologic evidence.
Hill put forth strategies for inferring causation and stressed the
need for considering costs and benefits when planning health-
promoting interventions. Review this article, which examines
how Hill’s strategies are often misused or misinterpreted.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). CDC health
disparities and inequalities report—United States, 2011.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Supplement, (60), 1–
114. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6001.pdf. [Read pages
11–32]
This report consolidates national data on disparities in
mortality, morbidity, behavioral risk factors, health care access,
preventive health services, and social determinants of critical
health problems in the United States by using selected
indicators. The required section of reading introduces the social
determinants of health and environmental hazards.
World Health Organization. (2011). Social determinants of
health. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/
According to the World Health Organization, “The social
determinants of health are mostly responsible for health
inequities—the unfair and avoidable differences in health status
seen within and between countries.” This article presents an
introduction to social determinants of health.
World Health Organization. (2011). Social determinants of
health: Key concepts. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/social_determinants/thecommission/finalrep
ort/key_concepts/en/index.html
This article outlines key concepts related to the social
determinants of health.

6. Healthy People 2020. (2011). Social determinants of health.
Retrieved from
http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.as
px?topicid=39
This website presents an overview of the social determinants of
health and addresses how the information relates to Healthy
People 2020.
UCL Institute of Health Equity. (2012). ‘Fair society healthy
lives’ (The Marmot Review). Retrieved from
http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/projects/fair-society-
healthy-lives-the-marmot-review
Optional Resources
Genaidy, A. M., Lemasters, G. K., Lockey, J., Succop, P.,
Deddens, J., Sobeih, & Dunning, K. (2007). An epidemiological
appraisal instrumental – a tool for evaluation of epidemiological
studies. Ergonomics, 50(6), 920–960.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Social
determinants of health. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/