1. Overview of epidemiological studies

1.1 What is the purpose of an epidemiological study?

To better describe and analyze health incidents so that interventions can be applied to improve people’s health.

Objectives of epidemiological studies:

  • To describe a health incident: What? When? Where? Who?

  • To determine a cause for a health incident: Why?

  • To find an association between cause and outcome: Exposure to a risk factor/outbreak of a disease, Effectiveness of preventive health measures