Bhopal Raj S. Concepts of Epidemiology. Integrating the ideas, theories, principles, and methods of epidemiology

3rd ed. — Oxford University Press, 2016. — 481 p. — ISBN: 978–0–19–873968–5.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 epidemiological analyses 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 define 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.My focus remains on the ideas, strategies, methods, and applications of the discipline. What added
value might readers expect in this revision? In addition to more rigorously edited and updated
and yet expanded text, with further simplification of language, readers will find:
The use of exemplars, highlighted in panels, to illustrate the concepts and methods under consideration in every chapter
Much more emphasis on causality, and an introduction to the language and approaches of causal graphs
Introduction to the language (including an expanded glossary) and approaches of the directed acyclic graph (DAG), translating the technical terms into more familiar epidemiological words and phrases (with an exemplar)
More and deeper consideration of the qualities of epidemiological variables
Expansion of previously introductory material on how new genetic technologies are changing epidemiology, with special emphasis on the Mendelian randomization study (with an exemplar)
Fuller consideration of the technical, ethical, conceptual, and practical epidemiological issues
arising from computerized linkage of records (with exemplars)
A clearer explanation of the way one moves from data to information and intelligence through systematic analysis and interpretation
A clearer exposition of difficult ideas including non-differential misclassification, effect modification, and its statistical equivalent of interaction
An expansion of the study design chapter
In line with trends in epidemiology, a clearer distinction between proportions and rates,
including adoption of distinctive terminology when appropriate
Consideration of the potential implications for extremely large influence on tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of people
The old favourites in previous editions are still there; for example, thought exercises embedded in the text, numerical calculations, historical references (also see Appendix 2 for further reading and useful websites), and the links between epidemiology and both clinical and public health
practice. Readers acquainted with the first edition will recognize the style, and hopefully they will agree it has matured and improved, and not just grown fatter over time.