Epidemiology and Urban Health Research

摘要: “Epidemiology” is derived from the Medieval Latin term “epidemia,” meaning an epidemic, and reflects origins of epidemiology as discipline concerned with tracking controlling disease epidemics. Modern has expanded its scope many definitions for have been suggested, some at odds one another (Swinton, 2004). Most epidemiologists might characterize their study distribution causes (or determinants) that (Lilienfeld, 1978). Congruent this definition, American Heritage Dictionary defines “The branch medicine deals causes, distribution, control in populations” (American Dictionary, 2000). Therefore provides empiric tools inform both public health epidemiologic method are critical to cause, subsequently control. Broadly speaking, we can think two principal roles epidemiology. First a descriptive role, often referred surveillance. Here helps describe frequency disease, overall, but also different groups, including, example, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic or over time. Description function plays policy practice. For recent documentation growing prevalence obesity throughout U.S. fuelled national interest epidemic development regional initiatives aimed reducing associated morbidity (Katz, 2003; Wang, et al., 2002). In local departments, surveillance infectious diseases serves identify outbreaks, core federal agencies.