Investigating disease patterns : the science of epidemiology / Paul D. Stolley, Tamar Lasky
- Bib ID:
- 2684297
- Format:
- Book
- Author:
- Stolley, Paul D
- Description:
-
- New York : Scientific American Library : Distributed by W.H. Freeman, c1995
- x, 242 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps ; 25 cm.
- ISBN:
-
- 0716750589 (hard cover)
- 071676024 (paperback)
- 071676024X (paperback)
- Summary:
-
In Investigating Disease Patterns, noted scientists Paul Stolley and Tamar Lasky show us how epidemiologists go about investigating the outbreak and spread of contagious diseases and, also, how they are tackling the greatest health threats of our time: heart disease, cancer, and environmental and occupational illnesses. Beginning with an historical overview, the authors trace the growth of epidemiology, from the recording of symptoms and the counting of events in the seventeenth century, to the development of a powerful investigative method used to uncover the sources not only of infectious diseases, with their simple origin in a pathogenic microorganism, but also diseases, like cancer, of more complicated origin and many contributing factors.
They describe in fascinating detail how, like a detective, the modern epidemiologist pursues the answers to crucial questions about who becomes ill, then applies scientific tools such as statistical analysis and controlled trials to verify those answers. In so doing, epidemiologists both find ways to stop specific outbreaks of disease and deepen our understanding of the disease process.
. Stolley and Lasky also show how epidemiology has moved beyond its exploration of the biological causes of disease, to study the workings of the health care system itself - to evaluate what works and what doesn't, from a public health campaign such as advertising to encourage the use of seat belts, to a surgical procedure, or a screening test such as mammography.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-225) and index.
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Lasky, Tamar
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 1995
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.