Translating the evidence from the bedside to populations
This sixth edition of the best-selling Epidemiology, Evidence-based Medicine and Public Health Lecture Notes equips students and health professionals with the basic tools required to learn, practice and teach epidemiology and health prevention in a contemporary setting.
The first section, ‘Epidemiology’, introduces the fundamental principles and scientific basis behind work to improve the health of populations, including a new chapter on genetic epidemiology. Applying the current and best scientific evidence to treatment at both individual and population level is intrinsically linked to epidemiology and public health, and has been introduced in a brand new second section: ‘Evidence-based Medicine’ (EBM), with advice on how to incorporate EBM principles into your own practice. The third section, ‘Public Health’, introduces students to public health practice, including strategies and tools used to prevent disease, prolong life, reduce inequalities, and includes global health.
Thoroughly updated throughout, including new studies and cases from around the globe, key learning features include:
- Learning objectives and key points in every chapter
- Extended coverage of critical appraisal and data interpretation
- A brand new self-assessment section of SAQs and ‘True/False’ questions for each topic
- A glossary to quickly identify the meaning of key terms, all of which are highlighted for study and exam preparation
- Further reading suggestions on each topic
Whether approaching these topics for the first time, starting a special study module or placement, or looking for a quick-reference summary, this book offers medical students, junior doctors, and public health students an invaluable collection of theoretical and practical information.
Table of Content
Preface, vi
List of contributors, viii
Part 1 Epidemiology
1 Epidemiology: defining disease and normality, 3
Sara T. Brookes and Yoav Ben-Shlomo
2 Measuring and summarising data, 11
Sara T. Brookes and Yoav Ben-Shlomo
3 Epidemiological concepts, 20
Sara T. Brookes and Yoav Ben-Shlomo
4 Statistical inference, confidence intervals and P-values, 26
Kate Tilling, Sara T. Brookes and Jonathan A.C. Sterne
5 Observational studies, 36
Mona Jeffreys and Yoav Ben-Shlomo
6 Genetic epidemiology, 46
David M. Evans and Ian N.M. Day
7 Investigating causes of disease, 55
Debbie A. Lawlor and John Macleod
Self-assessment questions – Part 1: Epidemiology, 63
Part 2 Evidence-based Medicine
8 An overview of evidence-based medicine, 69
Yoav Ben-Shlomo and Matthew Hickman
9 Diagnosis, 74
Penny Whiting and Richard M.Martin
10 Prognosis, 84
Yoav Ben-Shlomo and Matthew Hickman
11 Effectiveness, 92
Sara T. Brookes and Jenny Donovan
12 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis, 102
Penny Whiting and Jonathan Sterne
13 Health economics, 112
William Hollingworth and Sian Noble
14 Audit, research ethics and research governance, 120
Joanne Simon and Yoav Ben-Shlomo
Self-assessment questions – Part 2: Evidence-based medicine, 128
Part 3 Public Health
15 Public health, 135
Matthew Hickman, Ruth Kipping and David Gunnell
16 Screening, 145
Angela E. Raffle
17 Infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance, 152
Caroline Trotter, Isabel Oliver and Matthew Hickman
18 Inequalities in health, 160
Bruna Galobardes, Mona Jeffreys, and George Davey Smith
19 Health improvement, 170
Bruce Bolam
20 Evaluating public health and complex interventions, 177
Yoav Ben-Shlomo and Rona Campbell
21 Health care targets, 184
Maya Gobin and Gabriel Scally
22 Global health, 191
Sanjay Kinra, David L. Heymann and Shah Ebrahim
Self-assessment questions – Part 3: Public health, 202
Glossary of terms, 205
Self-assessment answers – Part 1: Epidemiology, 221
Self-assessment answers – Part 2: Evidencebased medicine, 224
Self-assessment answers – Part 3: Public health, 228
Index, 233
About the author
Yoav Ben-Shlomo is Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol
Sara T. Brookes is Senior Lecturer in Health Services Research & Medical Statistics, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol
Matthew Hickman is Professor in Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol