Epidemiology:
The study of disease in populations. Includes:
- The Aetiology of the disease
- Patterns of distribution of the disease
- How the disease spreads
Epidemiological studies can often uncover other factors which increase the chance of an individual being affected by a disease. These factors are called risk factors and include:
- Occupation
- High-stress lifestyles
- High fat and high sugar diet
- Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse
- Lack of personal hygiene