Hippocrates Influence and Contribution to Epidemiology in Public Health

Hippocrates Influence and Contribution to Epidemiology in Public Health

Epidemiology is an important field of public health. Epidemiology focuses on studying and understanding disease patterns, causal factors, and how it affect people. Through this, epidemiologists can efficiently prevent and manage disease outbreaks. Various key pioneers have influenced the evolution of epidemiology in the public health field. Hippocrates is a major contributor and influence in the development of epidemiology in public health.

Hippocrates was a Greek physician and philosopher who is better known as the “father of modern medicine.” There are various ways in which the major developments made throughout the history of epidemiology in public health can be linked to Hippocrates. Firstly, as a physician and philosopher, Hippocrates developed the Theory of the Four Humors. In the theory, Hippocrates argued that the human body consists of four basic element-humors: yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, and blood, which need to be in harmonious proportions in order to maintain health (Kalachanis & Michailidis, 2015). Additionally, Hippocrates noted that the balance between these elements is based on various attributes of an individual’s character.

Notably, temperament and character are influenced by various environmental factors that the individual interacts with. From this perspective, Hippocrates contributed to the development of epidemiology by recognizing how environmental factors, such as their area of residence, and various individual attributes, such as their behaviors, contribute to disease development. The relationship between an individual’s behaviour and the various factors within their environment as key to understanding the development of disease, as observed by Hippocrates, remains to be the basis of epidemiology today. Modern-day epidemiological research evidence has also established the same. For instance, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and obesity has been empirically linked to an individual’s genetics, environment, and behavior, including eating and physical activity-related behaviors (Cercato & Fonseca, 2019).

Another contribution that Hippocrates made to the development of epidemiology in public health is his insistent use of clinical observation and empirical evidence in medical practice. Throughout his life as a physician, Hippocrates identified the essentiality of keeping records of the symptoms the patient manifested and the outcomes after providing an intervention. Hippocrates always analyzed these records to identify any patterns in the development of the symptoms and the disease in itself. The observations helped identify the causes of the disease the patient had as well as determine the best line of care. This approach, as applied by Hippocrates back then, is still applied in epidemiological studies and forms the foundation of major epidemiological research methods such as observational cohort studies and case-control studies. It is also applied in patient care through the use of electronic health record systems, which have been noted to improve workflow, patient-centeredness of care, and patient care performance metrics (Denton et al., 2018).

Hippocrates also influenced and contributed to the development of epidemiology by further emphasizing on how individuals interact with their social and cultural environment and how such interactions influence their health or the development of disease. From Hippocrates’ view, social and cultural factors such as engagement in physical activity, eating habits, work environment, and social practices have a significant influence on health and disease development. Today, epidemiological studies focus on the social determinants of life to help identify at-risk populations and individuals. The focus on social and cultural data also helps manage the development of disease and complications by manipulating the social and cultural factors that influence the development of the disease.

 References

Cercato, C., & Fonseca, F. A. (2019). Cardiovascular risk and obesity. Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome, 11(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13098-019-0468-0/TABLES/1

Denton, C. A., Soni, H. C., Kannampallil, T. G., Serrichio, A., Shapiro, J. S., Traub, S. J., & Patel, V. L. (2018). Emergency Physicians’ Perceived Influence of EHR Use on Clinical Workflow and Performance Metrics. Applied Clinical Informatics, 9(3), 725. https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0038-1668553

Kalachanis, K., & Michailidis, I. E. (2015). The Hippocratic View on Humors and Human Temperament. European Journal of Social Behaviour, 2(2), 1–5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283119853_The_Hippocratic_View_on_

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Unit 1 – Discussion Board 2 (75 points)
Due: Thu, Apr 6 |
Description

Primary Responses are due by Thursday (11:59:59pm Central), and Peer Responses are due by Saturday (11:59:59pm Central).

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400-600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions with your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Part 1

From the readings and your own research, discuss the evolution of epidemiology in public health. Choose 1 of the following key pioneers in the field and discuss his influence and contribution to epidemiology in public health:

Hippocrates
John Grant
Edward Jenner
Lemuel Shattuck
Edwin Chadwick
John Snow
Louis Pasteur
Robert Koch
Respond to other