Investigating Disease Patterns: The Science of Epidemiology (Scientific American Library)

Stolley, Paul D.; Lasky, Tamar

ISBN 10: 0716750589 / ISBN 13: 9780716750581

Published by Scientific American Library, New York

About this Item

1st edition, 1st printing in Like New condition with nice, crisp dust jacket. The covers look great. The binding is tight. The interior pages are clean and unmarked. There is a small abrasion to the front flyleaf. Dust jacket shows just a touch of shelf wear. USPS electronic tracking number issued free of charge.

Seller Inventory # 11594

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Investigating Disease Patterns: The Science of Epidemiology (Scientific American Library)
• Publisher: Scientific American Library, New York
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0716750589
• ISBN 13: 9780716750581
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Printing: First Printing
• Condition: As New
• Dust Jacket Condition: As New
• Dimensions: 9.5W x 8.75H x 0.7D inches 9.5 inches width by 8.75 inches height by 0.7 inches depth

About this title

Synopsis

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.

Review

Two scientists explain how epidemiologists investigate the spread of contagious diseases, tracing the growth of epidemiology and the modern methods which today uncover the sources of diseases. Recommended for college-level students of epidemiology who want a basic introduction. -- Midwest Book Review