Concepts of Epidemiology Integrating the ideas, theories, principles, and methods of epidemiology

Epidemiology is a population science that underpins health improvement and health care, by exploring and establishing the pattern, frequency, trends, and causes of a disease. Concepts of Epidemiology comprehensively describes the application of core epidemiological concepts and principles to readers interested in population health research, policy making, health service planning, health promotion, and clinical care.

The book provides an overview of study designs and practical framework for the geographical analysis of diseases, including accounting for error and bias within studies. It discusses the ways in which epidemiological data are presented, explains the distinction between association and causation, as well as relative and absolute risks, and considers the theoretical and ethical basis of epidemiology both in the past and the future.

This new edition places even greater emphasis on interactive learning. Each chapter includes learning objectives, theoretical and numerical exercises, questions and answers, a summary of the key points, and exemplar panels to illustrate the concepts and methods under consideration.

Written in an accessible and engaging style, with a specialized glossary to explain and de\'1fne technical terminology, Concepts of Epidemiology is ideal for postgraduate students in epidemiology, public health, and health policy. It is also perfect for clinicians, undergraduate students and researchers in medicine, nursing and other health disciplines who wish to improve their understanding of fundamental epidemiological concepts.

Raj S. Bhopal, Alexander Bruce and John Usher Professor of Public Health, University of Edinburgh, and Honorary Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian Board, UK

Raj Bhopal is Bruce and John Usher Professor of Public Health in Edinburgh University and honorary consultant in public health with the NHS Lothian Board.

His books include Concepts of Epidemiology (OUP) and Migration, Ethnicity, race and Health (OUP). His academic publications include about 300 journal articles, on topics including legionnaires disease, primary care epidemiology, environmental epidemiology and ethnicity and health.

He is currently focusing on ethnic variations in disease, with a special emphasis how to respond to this knowledge with more effective public health interventions and clinical services, particularly around cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

As Chairman of the Management Executive Committee he was leader of the 19th World Congress of Epidemiology 2011, held in Edinburgh. Raj Bhopal has enjoyed several honours and prizes, most notably being appointed CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2001.

1. What is epidemiology? The nature, scope, variables, principal measures, and designs of a biological, clinical, social and ecological science
2. The epidemiological concept of population
3. Variation in disease by time, place, and person: Background and a framework for analysis of genetic and environmental effects
4. Error, bias and confounding in epidemiology
5. Cause and effect - The epidemiological approach
6. Interrelated concepts in the epidemiology of disease: Natural history and incubation period, time trends in populations, spectrum, iceberg, and screening
7. The concept of risk and fundamental measures of disease frequency: Incidence and prevalence
8. Summarising, presenting and interpreting epidemiological data: building on incidence and prevalence
9. Epidemiological study designs and principles of data analysis: A conceptually integrated suite of methods and techniques
10. Epidemiology in the past, present and the future: Theory, ethics, context, and critical appraisal
Appendix 1: Possible curriculum for taught courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students and in continuing education
Appendix 2: Useful websites
Index