Epidemiology involves the study of how disease frequency in man is distributed and determined (Laumann, Paik, & Rosen, 1999). Consequently, there is the use of statistics, probability, and research knowledge to test certain hypotheses concerning the occurrence of morbidity. As a result, this research employed the use of demographic data to create a deeper understanding of epidemiology. This paper discusses how demographic data such as age, race , sex, social class, ethnicity, occupation, and marital status among others result in variation in health status, health related behavior and use of health care services.
Laumann, Paik, and Rosen (1999) assert that there is a powerful corelationship between health and behavior of a person. Individuals who have acquired knowledge and skills through education behave in a certain way concerning their health status. In most cases, they usually have higher income and therefore they are able to seek regular medical care and can afford to pay for health insurance coverage. Laumann et. al. (1999) add that with such higher income, individuals from good economic and social settings are able to lead a luxurious lifestyle that is devoid of depression besides the fact that they easily access health care services.
Robins, Hernan, and Brumback, (2000) propose that age as a demographic factor affects the strength with which a person's immune system can fight a particular disease causing micro-organism. Notably, an individual’s immunity reduces with an increase in the age. Whereas younger individuals are believed to have a stronger immune system, the older individuals have on the other hand believed to be having a weakened immune system. Hence, younger individuals are able to survive even when there is an outbreak of diseases (Laumann et. al., 1999).
Robins et. al. (2000) add that sex is another demographic factor that affects the different and span of illness. In this regards, males have a different pattern and span of diseases from their female counterparts given the disparity in the biological role and environmental setup (Laumann et. al., 1999). Males and females have different exposure to disease agents and susceptibility and therefore they respond differently to pharmacological substances. There is also a correlation between race, ethnicity and health as asserted by Robins et. al. (2000). Notably, there are racial differences in the frequency and availability of treatments for a disease. These differences are brought about by factors like education and income (Robins, Hernan, & Brumback, 2000).
References
Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States. JAMA: the journal of the American Medical Association, 281 (6); 537-544.
Robins, J. M., Hernán, M. Á., & Brumback, B. (2000). Marginal structural models and causal inference in epidemiology. Epidemiology, 11 (5); 550-560.
