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Rating: 
Summary: An update from the author
Review: Dear readers, Forgive me rating my own book but the system here forces me to! I hope you are finding this book both enjoyable and useful.
...The following minor errors arose in the first printing, but have been corrected in the second printing: (a)In tables 8.7 and 8.8 the rows labelled ' exercise' should read 'no exercise' and the rows labelled 'No exercise' should read 'Exercise'. (b)P84, table 4.4, the statements "Findings may not apply etc" (line 17) and "Practical applications etc" (line 26) should be in the 4th column of table, i.e., under cost/disadvantage. (c)Acknowledgements: Para. 5, line 2 - strike out the word 'many'. (d)Page 5, para. 3, line 3, 'diseases' not disease. (e)Page 93, para 3, line 6 - comma between social and lifestyle. (f)P143, para. 2, line 9 - patient's replaces patient'. (g)P151, para 1, line 4, - 40.6 replaces 40.5. (h)P192, para. 2, line 1, 'are' replaces 'is'. (i)P154, para 3, beginning "Screening will" is relocated to P152, as para 2, i.e., between existing paras. 1 and 2. (j)P59, line 23 - populations replaces population. My apologies. I hope this did not cause any inconvenience. Please let me know of any other errors or comments. Raj Bhopal
Rating:
Summary: A highly recommended text
Review: In his preface, Professor Raj Bhopal indicates that the purpose of his book is 'to explain and illustrate the key concepts which underpin the science of epidemiology and its applications to research, policy making, health service planning and health promotion'. This he achieves in a remarkably clear and comprehensive fashion. The book is extremely well structured with the first-half systematically leading the reader from introductory concepts of the nature of epidemiology, epidemiological variables and population, through to the all-important issues of variation and the epidemiological approach to cause and effect theory. The book is primarily intended for postgraduate students undertaking beginning courses in epidemiology and it undoubtedly excels in this regard. Each chapter is excellently structured: commencing with clearly defined learning objectives and supported throughout with creative thought-provoking exercises and interesting relevant examples which demonstrate Raj Bhopal's deep interest in social, historical and cultural issues. It would be surprising if this were not to rapidly establish itself as a recommended text for all students with an interest in the field. More than this however, Professor Bhopal has succeeded in creating a text which is straightforward, engaging and extremely interesting and easy to read. As such he has pulled off the difficult task of producing a scientifically rigorous and sound text which is equally enjoyable and accessible to the lay reader. For this he is to be congratulated! His work is highly recommended for postgraduate and undergraduate students, health professionals, health service managers and policy makers. Indeed, for all who have an interest in the vital area of public health.
Rating:
Summary: A highly recommended text
Review: In his preface, Professor Raj Bhopal indicates that the purpose of his book is `to explain and illustrate the key concepts which underpin the science of epidemiology and its applications to research, policy making, health service planning and health promotion'. This he achieves in a remarkably clear and comprehensive fashion. The book is extremely well structured with the first-half systematically leading the reader from introductory concepts of the nature of epidemiology, epidemiological variables and population, through to the all-important issues of variation and the epidemiological approach to cause and effect theory. The book is primarily intended for postgraduate students undertaking beginning courses in epidemiology and it undoubtedly excels in this regard. Each chapter is excellently structured: commencing with clearly defined learning objectives and supported throughout with creative thought-provoking exercises and interesting relevant examples which demonstrate Raj Bhopal's deep interest in social, historical and cultural issues. It would be surprising if this were not to rapidly establish itself as a recommended text for all students with an interest in the field. More than this however, Professor Bhopal has succeeded in creating a text which is straightforward, engaging and extremely interesting and easy to read. As such he has pulled off the difficult task of producing a scientifically rigorous and sound text which is equally enjoyable and accessible to the lay reader. For this he is to be congratulated! His work is highly recommended for postgraduate and undergraduate students, health professionals, health service managers and policy makers. Indeed, for all who have an interest in the vital area of public health.
Rating:
Summary: Epidemiology: reality and reasoning
Review: Professor Bhopal's book is a model of what a decent epidemiological text should be. It starts at first principles firmly embedded in their conceptual context and gently leads up to ever more complex ideas in such a way that the readers could, if so inclined, congratulate themselves on their own insights. The content is scattered with exercises which grow naturally out of the material presented. These are designed to be thought provoking and thought expanding. The chapters on cause and effect,the natural history of disease and screening are particularly fine and I have never seen the concept of risk so clearly (and honestly)explained. The book is notable for its openness, a quality too often lacking in medical texts. The limitations and the problems of the epidemiological approach are explored along with the strengths, triumphs and possibilities. I recommend this text most sincerely to all students of the subjects and even to those who think they know it all already.
Rating:
Summary: Ozren Polasek, MD
Review: The book "Concepts of Epidemiology", by Professor Raj Bhopal offers a great source for beginner and intermediate medical student learning epidemiology. The author manages to explain the basic concepts of epidemiology and allow medical students to widen their scope. At the same time, more complex phenomena are explained in an easy and intuitive manner, allowing student to fully understand the principles underlying modern epidemiological concepts.
As a conclusion, I would recommend this book to all students who are new to public health concepts for its clear style and easy knowledge transfer, as well as those who are interested in epidemiology in a deeper level.
Rating:
Summary: A review by Professor Phil Hanlon
Review: This enjoyable book has 2 main strengths: ·It is innovative and fresh in the way that it addresses Epidemiology. As such it stands out from the vast majority of other Epidemiology texts which follow a much more predictable format. Professor Bhopal's main strength is that he uses examples, metaphors and illustrations that are drawn from his own experience and imagination. As such, the book comes across with great force. ·The book is exceptionally clearly written making complex issues seem relatively straightforward. It should very quickly establish itself as one of the important Epidemiology texts for a wide range of Public Health Students and Professionals.
Rating:
Summary: A review by Professor Phil Hanlon
Review: This enjoyable book has 2 main strengths: · It is innovative and fresh in the way that it addresses Epidemiology. As such it stands out from the vast majority of other Epidemiology texts which follow a much more predictable format. Professor Bhopal's main strength is that he uses examples, metaphors and illustrations that are drawn from his own experience and imagination. As such, the book comes across with great force. · The book is exceptionally clearly written making complex issues seem relatively straightforward. It should very quickly establish itself as one of the important Epidemiology texts for a wide range of Public Health Students and Professionals.
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