Epidemiology Basics
Study of distribution and determinants of health-related states. Measures: incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, DALY, QALY.
Study Designs
- Observational: Descriptive (case reports, cross-sectional), Analytical (case-control, cohort)
- Experimental: RCT (gold standard), field trial, community trial
Biostatistics Formulas
Sensitivity = TP / (TP + FN) — ability to detect disease when present
Specificity = TN / (TN + FP) — ability to exclude disease when absent
PPV = TP / (TP + FP) — probability of disease given positive test
NPV = TN / (TN + FN) — probability of no disease given negative test
National Health Programs
| Program | Target | Year |
|---------|--------|------|
| TB Elimination | Zero deaths | 2025 |
| Kala-azar Elimination | Zero cases | 2024 |
| Maternal Mortality | <70/100K live births | 2030 |
| IMR | <25/1000 live births | 2030 |
References & further reading
Every clinical claim in this article is anchored to a primary source. Click through to verify, and use the same habit in your revision.
Revision history
- 19 September 2026 — Initial publication
Frequently asked questions
Which PSM textbook is best for UPSC CMS?
Park Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine is the standard. For National Health Programs: use the latest NHM guidelines from mohfw.gov.in. For statistics: refer to any biostatistics chapter in Park or Mahajan.
How are National Health Programs tested?
Direct questions about program targets (e.g., TB elimination target year, immunization coverage under UIP), components, implementing agencies, and recent updates (Mission Ayushman Bharat, PMJAY).
What biostatistics formulas must I know?
Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), standard deviation, standard error, Chi-square test, t-test, relative risk, odds ratio, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV. Know the formulas and their clinical applications.
Related reading
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