Field Epidemiology

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Resource for Epidemiologists & Researchers
Review: "Field Epidemiology" by Gregg (editor) and colleagues from the U.S. federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a vital resource for epidemiologists, health advocates, and public health researchers and specialists. The book is remarkable both for its content and the high quality of editorship, too rare a combination in biomedical texts.

The book's content addresses field epidemilogy, which is somewhat awkwardly defined as "..the application of epidemiology under the following set of general conditions: *The problem is unexpected. *An immediate response may be demanded. *Public health epidemiologists must travel to and work in the field to solve the problem. *The extent of the investigation is likely to be limited because of the imperative for timely intervention." Despite an awkward definition (i.e., defining field epidemiology by its antecedents), field epidemiology is the reality of responsive, responsible, comtemporary public health practice: A cluster of disease occurs of unknown origin, the public becomes concerned, public health agencies are expected to respond with compassion and utilitarian epidemiological methods. In this book's 18 chapters are described the hows, whys, and whats necessary to conduct field epidemiology. Each chapter is written by an expert in his or her area of epidemiology. A sample of chapter titles includes: Conducting a Field Investigation, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Developing Interventions, Communicating Epidemiologic Findings, Dealing with the Public and Media, and Legal Considerations in a Field Investigation.

This book should also be savored for its clarity of expression, taut editorship, and integration of chapters. "Field Epidemiology" is an outstanding resource for any health professional's bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Resource for Epidemiologists & Researchers
Review: "Field Epidemiology" by Gregg (editor) and colleagues from the U.S. federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a vital resource for epidemiologists, health advocates, and public health researchers and specialists. The book is remarkable both for its content and the high quality of editorship, too rare a combination in biomedical texts.

The book's content addresses field epidemilogy, which is somewhat awkwardly defined as "..the application of epidemiology under the following set of general conditions: *The problem is unexpected. *An immediate response may be demanded. *Public health epidemiologists must travel to and work in the field to solve the problem. *The extent of the investigation is likely to be limited because of the imperative for timely intervention." Despite an awkward definition (i.e., defining field epidemiology by its antecedents), field epidemiology is the reality of responsive, responsible, comtemporary public health practice: A cluster of disease occurs of unknown origin, the public becomes concerned, public health agencies are expected to respond with compassion and utilitarian epidemiological methods. In this book's 18 chapters are described the hows, whys, and whats necessary to conduct field epidemiology. Each chapter is written by an expert in his or her area of epidemiology. A sample of chapter titles includes: Conducting a Field Investigation, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Developing Interventions, Communicating Epidemiologic Findings, Dealing with the Public and Media, and Legal Considerations in a Field Investigation.

This book should also be savored for its clarity of expression, taut editorship, and integration of chapters. "Field Epidemiology" is an outstanding resource for any health professional's bookshelf.