Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence : Connecting Research to Applications

Epidemiology, the so-called "science of public health," has undergone a boom in the last decade as public interest and engagement in population health has skyrocketed. While this boom has done much to spark advances in the technology of epidemiology, it has also made it harder for those who want to use epidemiology to guide policy and clinical practice to fully appreciate the meaning of the research findings.

Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence offers those who have had an introductory course in epidemiology the knowledge they need to make clear connections from research findings to practical applications. Written in clear and lively prose, it empowers students at all levels to evaluate a study's design, implementation, and ultimate findings, giving the guidance needed to apply the information appropriately. Liberal use of practical examples serves both to illustrate core concepts and to motivate readers to think critically about the causal connections that population health studies aim to explore.

Completely revised and updated, this new edition of Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence is an invaluable core text for both epidemiologists in training and practitioners across other disciplines with even an introductory knowledge of epidemiology.

David A. Savitz, PhD, is Professor of Epidemiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brown University. He has held leadership positions at the University of North Carolina (Chair of the Department of Epidemiology) and at Brown University (Vice President for Research), as well as in a number of professional organizations. His research is focused primarily on reproductive and environmental epidemiology. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2007.

Gregory A. Wellenius, ScD, is Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Brown University. His research focuses on the effects of our environment on cardiovascular health, with an emphasis on the adverse health effects of air pollution and the built environment. He has taught advanced graduate courses in epidemiologic methods, provided invited expert testimony before the US House of Representatives and US Senate, and mentored a number of undergraduate, medical, masters, and doctoral students.