Epidemiology Foundations is an accessible introduction to epidemiology. This comprehensive resource covers the topic including information on its foundations, history, health and disease, descriptive epidemiology, measurement, study designs, uses, epidemics, social epidemiology, screening, community health, and global health.

Figures ix Tables xi Preface xv The Author xix Chapter 1: Why Epidemiology? 1 Introduction 2 Public Health and Community Medicine 2 Defi nition of Epidemiology 3 Population Health 9 Population Trends 10 Health Costs 15 Global Health Threats 17 Summary 17 Chapter 2: History of Epidemiology 21 Historical Perspectives 22 Uses of Epidemiology 29 Examples of Cohort Studies 30 Summary 31 Chapter 3: Health and Disease 35 Defi nitions 36 Distinction Between Health and Disease 37 Disease Progression 39 Cause and Effect 43 Summary 49 Chapter 4: Describing Health and Disease 53 Descriptive Epidemiology 54 Hypotheses 55 Descriptive Variables 56 Examples of Use of Descriptive Information 75 Summary 76 Chapter 5: Measuring Health and Disease 79 Morbidity 80 Mortality 90 Other Measures 97 Graphing Health and Disease Measurements 102 Confounding 105 Summary 108 Chapter 6: Epidemiology Study Designs: Observational and Experimental Studies 113 Defi nition of Observational Studies 114 Framework and Types of Observational Studies 114 Descriptive Studies 115 Analytical Studies 119 Examples of Observational Studies 123 Definition of Experimental Studies 124 Framework and Types of Experimental Studies 125 Clinical Trials 126 Bias and Validity 131 Examples of Experimental Studies 132 Summary 133 Chapter 7: Uses of Epidemiological Studies 137 Introduction 137 Observational Studies 139 Experimental Studies 152 Summary 153 Chapter 8: Epidemics 159 Definition 160 Transmission 161 Response to Epidemics 165 Surveillance 170 Reportable Diseases 171 Examples 171 Summary 174 Chapter 9: Epidemiology and Society 179 Introduction 180 Social Determinants 181 Socioeconomic Factors and Health 183 The Built Environment 185 Summary 188 Chapter 10: Screening for Disease 193 Prevention and Epidemiology 194 Screening 195 Accuracy of Screening Tests 196 Summary 207 Chapter 11: Community Public Health 211 Introduction 212 Community Health Workers 213 Community Level Planning and Evaluation 214 Examples 218 Public Health Programs 219 Public Health Agencies 224 Summary 225 Chapter 12: Epidemiology Today 229 Emergency Preparedness 230 Global Health 232 Emerging Diseases 236 Chronic Diseases 247 Summary 256 Notes 259 Index 275

Written by Peter J. Fos—an expert in epidemiology with more than twenty years teaching experience—Epidemiology Foundations offers an ideal introduction to the theory and practice of public health epidemiology. This important text discusses both the historical perspective and future trends of epidemiology, reviews health and disease, and explains how they are measured. The book's overview of epidemiological studies shows how they are used in practice. Epidemiology Foundations takes a social and community perspective and includes information about global diseases and epidemics. Emphasis on concepts such as population health, social determinants, and global health make this book especially interesting and accessible to those new to the subject. Each chapter is supplemented with problem-solving exercises and research assignments to aid readers in understanding its epidemiology principles. Reflecting and expanding on recommendations of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Epidemiology Foundations is the ideal text for any course introducing epidemiology in public health.