Applied Epidemiology: Theory to Practice
Ross C. Brownson, Diana B. (Eds.) Petitti, Diana B. PetittiBooks.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
Focusing on areas of public health practice in which the systematic application of epidemiologic methods can have a large and positive impact, this text applies traditional epidemiologic methods for determining disease etiology to the "real-life" applications of public health and health services research. Brownson and Petitti—true to their belief that epidemiology is the diagnostic discipline of public health—provide a much-needed book that bridges the gap between theoretical epidemiology and public health practice. Their uniquely comprehensive coverage includes a number of topics not traditionally addressed by other epidemiology texts. Twelve chapters offer a thorough, in-depth analysis of the important issues, methods, problems, and limitations within applied epidemiology. Following an introduction, three overview chapters detail study design and interpretation, outbreak and cluster investigations, and public health surveillance. The remaining chapters highlight key issues and provide practical recommendations on eight contemporary topics, such as community intervention trials, outcomes research, risk assessment, screening, and cost-benefit analysis. The editors—both very well-known researchers in the field—have compiled reviews with direct relevance to or a strong basis in epidemiology. All chapters have been authored by recognized authorities in the field of epidemiology and public health. Case studies of actual programs at the end of each chapter illustrate major points and provide a foundation for more detailed discussions.
Applied Epidemiology is intended for practitioners in epidemiology, and students in epidemiology and related disciplines that rely heavily on epidemiologic methods and reasoning. It will be a practical and informative tool in academic institutions, federal agencies with significant educational missions, state and local public health agencies, and health care organizations.
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Synopsis
This text focuses on areas of public health practice in which the systematic application of epidemiologic methods can have a large and positive impact. It describes how best to apply traditional epidemiologic methods for determining disease etiology to "real-life" problems in public health and health services research. Brownson and Petitti's much-needed book bridges the gap between theoretical epidemiology and public health practice, and covers a number of topics not addressed by other epidemiology texts with a focus on methods. This second edition contains a new chapter on the development and use of systematic reviews and one on epidemiology and the law. Each chapter includes one or more case studies intended to illustrate major points from the chapter and to provide a basis for teaching exercises. All of the chapters are authored by leading experts in the fields of epidemiology and public health, and all are fully revised and updated.
The book is intended for practitioners in epidemiology as well as for students in epidemiology and related disciplines that rely on epidemiologic methods and reasoning. It is a practical and informative book for use in academic institutions, federal agencies which have significant educational missions, state and local public health agencies, and health care organizations. By providing a resource of immense accessibility to several key audiences, this edition of Applied Epidemiology: Theory to Practice further extends the fields ability to make a real difference on behalf of better health for all.
Editorials
Bernard J. Turnock
There are many excellent epidemiology texts that present the basic concepts, principles, and theory of the field. Such texts provide a foundation for understanding how these tools can be applied to various real world problems and situations. This book takes a different approach and addresses many of the practical applications of epidemiology. The applied approach taken by this text is particularly well-suited to meet the needs of health professionals in public health or clinical practice and students in the various health professions. An exposure to the basics of epidemiology is still necessary for these audiences, but makes this text a useful adjunct to an introductory course or a solid text for a course in applied epidemiology. A dozen chapters cover the waterfront from traditional public health applications like outbreak investigation and surveillance to more current topics like outcome research and economic analysis. Each chapter has case studies and related discussion questions to expand the learning potential of the material. Other features of the book are unremarkable. The references are plentiful, pertinent, and generally quite current. The use of illustrations varies considerably from chapter to chapter, not unexpected in an edited text. This is a useful, interesting, and needed contribution to the field. The book deals with important and timely applications of epidemiology written by highly credible contributors and a distinguished pair of editors. This book well serves many audiences and is highly recommended for health science libraries at all levels.From The Critics
Reviewer: Bernard J. Turnock, MD, MPH(University of Illinois at Chicago)Description: There are many excellent epidemiology texts that present the basic concepts, principles, and theory of the field. Such texts provide a foundation for understanding how these tools can be applied to various real world problems and situations.
Purpose: This book takes a different approach and addresses many of the practical applications of epidemiology.
Audience: The applied approach taken by this text is particularly well-suited to meet the needs of health professionals in public health or clinical practice and students in the various health professions. An exposure to the basics of epidemiology is still necessary for these audiences, but makes this text a useful adjunct to an introductory course or a solid text for a course in applied epidemiology.
Features: A dozen chapters cover the waterfront from traditional public health applications like outbreak investigation and surveillance to more current topics like outcome research and economic analysis. Each chapter has case studies and related discussion questions to expand the learning potential of the material. Other features of the book are unremarkable. The references are plentiful, pertinent, and generally quite current. The use of illustrations varies considerably from chapter to chapter, not unexpected in an edited text.
Assessment: This is a useful, interesting, and needed contribution to the field. The book deals with important and timely applications of epidemiology written by highly credible contributors and a distinguished pair of editors. This book well serves many audiences and is highly recommended for health science libraries at all levels.
3 Stars from Doody