Qiumarss Nasseri,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (3 2005)
Abstract
Epidemiological studies of cancer is the corner stone of cancer control plans and necessary for setting goals, monitoring the progress, and evaluating the results of control efforts. Cancer is a generic name for a number of diseases that have different etiology, natural history, and outcome. Thus, control activities for each cancer is different and requires varied approaches. Primary prevention, i.e., controlling the initiation of cancers is now possible for a number of cancers including lung, stomach, liver, and cervix by controlling the use of tobacco, and infections with Helicobacter pylori, Hepatitis C, and Human papilloma viruses. Secondary prevention, i.e., early detection is mostly effective for the cancers of the breast (mammography), cervix (Pap test), prostate (digital rectal exam and PSA testing), colon and rectum (Colon- and Sigmoidscopy), and melanoma of the skin (clinical examination of the skin). Effective treatment is now possible for a large number of cancers with arrays of new medications such as Tamoxifen and Herceptin for breast cancer, Avastin for Colorectal and other cancers, and so on. Tertiary prevention, i.e., rehabilitation and hospice care is a necessary part of cancer control that is generally neglected. Cancer is a familial disease and when it struck, it affects the whole family. Health education and social support for the patients and their families is an integral part of cancer control activities and must be present in any effective cancer control program. Tertiary prevention not only includes proper palliative care, but also education and support for proper nutrition and improvement of the quality of life for the patient and the family.
Kiumarss Nasseri,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (Vol.18, No.2, Summer 2022 2022)
Abstract
Epidemiology is generally defined as the basic science and art of disease prevention and health promotion. Historically, it began with the accounting of death in major epidemics in the Middle Ages. Over the years, it has evolved into the basic science and art of dealing with mass phenomena of disease occurrence and public health. It is now gaining eminence in dealing with all kinds of mass phenomena beyond disease and public health.
Prior to the 1970s when teaching of epidemiology became a distinct training in academia, most epidemiologists were highly experienced practitioners of infectious and parasitic diseases and drew from their vast experiences in suggesting interventions for infectious disease control. With the prominence of non-infectious and chronic diseases, the need for special training with particular emphasis on biostatistics became apparent and has extensively developed to the present state. In Iran, epidemiological practice and training began with the national efforts in combating the main scourges of Malaria, Trachoma, Schistosoma infestation, cholera, and other diseases that impacted the country with high endemicity and regular epidemic outbreaks. This brief paper describes the development of epidemiology training in Iran in more detail.
Kiumarss Nasseri,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (Vol.20, No.1, Spring 2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Years of life lost (YLL) or “wasted life” is a measure based on early and untimely death based on the expectation of life at the time of birth. The objective of this study is to measure the YLL during the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran and compare it with a similar antecedent period by age, sex, and province.
Methods: Daily reports of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education on COVID-19 cases and attributed death in the country; Weekly statistics of death and birth, by age, sex, and province reported by the National Organization for Civil Registration; and population data from the Statistical Center of Iran were used in this study.
Results: During the COVID-19 (Corona) epidemic a 27 percent increase in crude death rate was observed compared to similar period before epidemic. During the epidemic period, 319,136 extra deaths was recorded of which 45% was registered as COVID-19 death by Ministry of Health and Medical Education. During this period, a total of 4,897,995 years of life were prematurely lost.
Conclusion: Although this study lacks some detailed analysis due to the limitation of the available data and, it provides a clear picture of the health and demographic impacts of this epidemic in Iran and we can use Information presented in this report in planning and advance preparation for control and management of similar significant epidemics in the future.
