Epidemiologists spend much of their time analyzing data and evaluating the validity of the sources of their data. Measure of occurrence refers to the quantifying (count, ratio, proportion, rate, prevalence, and incidence) of events (Friis & Sellers, 2021). Data sources are critical elements that provide foundation and grounding for research. It is important to attain and evaluate the validity of data sources. Data sources require analysis and interpretation.

In this Assignment, you are presented with a scenario in the “To prepare for this Assignment” section, where you are asked to search and interpret the meaning of the data. You will also determine the probable source and validity of the data. You will search in the Walden Library for scholarly articles and identify data using the sources of data provided to you in the Learning Resources to complete this Assignment.

Reference:
Friis, R.H., & Sellers, T.A. (2021). Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

To prepare for this Assignment: 

• Refer to the health issue you selected in Week 1.
• Perform a search in the Walden Library, and identify at least two recent scholarly articles (no older than 3 years of publication) related to the health issue you have chosen. 
• Perform a search of sources of data provided to you in the Learning Resources to identify data relevant to the health issue you have chosen.
• Review the following scenario:
  • Imagine that you work for a state health department monitoring trends in the occurrence of various reportable infectious diseases, as well as major chronic diseases. As you compare this year's trends with last year's, you notice an increase in the occurrence of the disease that you chose. 

Keep in mind, that some factors may cause an increase in incidence but, not necessarily, represent a true increase nor an epidemic.

With this scenario in mind, write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:  

• Identify ebola  the health issue you have selected.
• Identify and describe at least two factors that might lead to an increase of new cases (incidence) of your health issue but not represent an outbreak or epidemic. Explain your thinking.
  • Example factors include screenings, testing, changes in diagnostic criteria, policies, laws, campaigns, etc.
• Identify and describe the descriptive epidemiologic factors (person/place/time) you would use to evaluate populations at risk (i.e., what factors are relevant for your health issue within the categories of person, place, and time). Using the scholarly resources that you identified, support and explain your thinking.
• Identify and explain who is more at-risk for the health issue based on the epidemiologic factors. Provide data and statistical evidence from the sources you identified to support your response. Explain your thinking. 

Note: Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources specific to your disease. Ensure your in-text citations and reference list are in APA format. For more information on APA style, use the following Walden University resource:

• Walden University Writing Center. (2019). APA style: Overview. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa

By Day 7