Seamlessly blending theory and practice, Aschengrau & Seage's Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health presents both traditional and modern epidemiological concepts in a clear and accessible way. Broad in scope, the text opens with five chapters covering the basic epidemiologic concepts and data sources. A major emphasis is placed on study design, with separate chapters devoted to each of the three main analytic designs: experimental, cohort, and case-control studies. Full chapters on bias, confounding, and random error, including the role of statistics in epidemiology, ensure that students are well-equipped with the necessary information to interpret the results of epidemiologic studies.
For the Fifth Edition, descriptive data and statistics have been updated throughout, most significantly in Chapters 4 (Sources of Public Health Data) and 5 (Descriptive Epidemiology). The latter chapter also includes a new section on the leading causes of morbidity in the United States, with a summary of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Features and Benefits
"This book covers the most applicable epidemiological concepts concisely and clearly. Key features include the guide to the critical appraisal of epidemiological studies, the introduction of confounding and effect modification in analytical studies, and information on major data sources in public health... The remarkable updates justify this fourth edition."
-- Homa Sadeghi, MPH (University of Iowa College of Public Health) Doody's Review - previous edition
The intended audience is public health graduate students (especially master's level) and practitioners who will either consume epidemiology literature or apply their knowledge in practice. This is a practical resource for those who wish to understand the main epidemiology definitions, study designs, and general statistical concepts. The authors have been teaching introductory epidemiology courses at Boston University and Harvard University for about three decades, and this book is the product of their teaching experience.