The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of epidemiology and public health. In addition to the intensified health challenges of the pandemic, the constantly changing environment, global warming, increased international travel, globalisation, and social, economic and political changes all contribute to the fluctuating nature and patterns of disease and health issues. To better address the complex interrelationships of various determinants and health/illness outcomes, multidisciplinary efforts, including epidemiology, are required to protect and promote the population’s health. Epidemiology uses quantitative methods to collect and analyse data to investigate disease occurrence and possible causes of disease in order to find solutions to health problems in different populations. This chapter introduces the basic concepts in and use of epidemiology, the common epidemiological study designs and the quantitative measures used to describe the health status of populations and identify potential determinants of ill health. It also draws on examples of international and Australian research and health data to strengthen the theoretical concepts and principles introduced.
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