Understanding Epidemiology

Understanding Epidemiology: Concepts, Skills, and Application teaches students the skills required to think critically about public health challenges. The text takes an interdisciplinary approach to solving epidemiological problems that mirrors epidemiology in practice. Students are exposed to the foundational principles of epidemiology and practice the application of these principles using multiple methods. Students learn to read and use public health and health science literature to design appropriate epidemiological studies, ultimately becoming intelligent consumers of health information.

The third edition has been updated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching effects on the field of epidemiology. The text includes new coverage of the connection between clinical medicine, biomedical research, and epidemiology and public health. Modeling, interventions, mitigation, contract tracing, quarantine, isolation, social media and communication, spillover, coordination, public health education, and evaluation are covered.

Written for undergraduate students, the book does not assume a working knowledge of biostatistics. Understanding Epidemiology can be used in introductory epidemiology courses, as well as public health study design and health sciences research methods courses.