Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence

Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence

Author: David A. Savitz

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2003-06-05

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0199747695

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Evaluating the strength or persuasiveness of epidemiologic evidence is inherently challenging, both for those new to the field and for experienced researchers. There are a myriad of potential biases to consider, but little guidance about how to asses the likely impact on study results. This book offers a strategy for assessing epidemiologic research findings, explicitly describing the goals and products of epidemiologic research in order to better evaluate it successes and limitations. The focus throughout is on practical tools for making optimal use of available data to assess whether hypothesized biases are operative and to anticipate concerns at the point of study design in order to ensure that needed information is generated. Specific tools for assessing the presence and impact of selection bias in both cohort and case-control studies, bias from non-response, confounding, exposure measurement error, disease measurement error, and random error are identified and evaluated. The potential value of each approach as well as its limitations are discussed, using examples from the published literature. Such information should help those who generate and interpret epidemiologic research to apply methodological principles more effectively to substantive issues, leading to a more accurate appraisal of the current evidence and greater clarity about research needs.


Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence

Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence

Author: David A. Savitz

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016-06-30

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 0190243791

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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.


Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence

Interpreting Epidemiologic Evidence

Author: David A. Savitz

Publisher:

Published:

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13:

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"Evaluating the strength of epidemiologic evidence is inherently challenging, both for those new to the field and for experienced researchers. This book offers a strategy for assessing epidemiologic research findings, explicitly describing the goals and products of research."--[Source inconnue].


Concepts of Epidemiology

Concepts of Epidemiology

Author: Raj S. Bhopal

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 481

ISBN-13: 0198739680

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First edition published in 2002. Second edition published in 2008.


Analysis of Cancer Risks in Populations Near Nuclear Facilities

Analysis of Cancer Risks in Populations Near Nuclear Facilities

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2012-06-29

Total Pages: 424

ISBN-13: 0309255716

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In the late 1980s, the National Cancer Institute initiated an investigation of cancer risks in populations near 52 commercial nuclear power plants and 10 Department of Energy nuclear facilities (including research and nuclear weapons production facilities and one reprocessing plant) in the United States. The results of the NCI investigation were used a primary resource for communicating with the public about the cancer risks near the nuclear facilities. However, this study is now over 20 years old. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requested that the National Academy of Sciences provide an updated assessment of cancer risks in populations near USNRC-licensed nuclear facilities that utilize or process uranium for the production of electricity. Analysis of Cancer Risks in Populations near Nuclear Facilities: Phase 1 focuses on identifying scientifically sound approaches for carrying out an assessment of cancer risks associated with living near a nuclear facility, judgments about the strengths and weaknesses of various statistical power, ability to assess potential confounding factors, possible biases, and required effort. The results from this Phase 1 study will be used to inform the design of cancer risk assessment, which will be carried out in Phase 2. This report is beneficial for the general public, communities near nuclear facilities, stakeholders, healthcare providers, policy makers, state and local officials, community leaders, and the media.


Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation

Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation

Author: Committee to Assess Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-03-23

Total Pages: 422

ISBN-13: 0309133343

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This book is the seventh in a series of titles from the National Research Council that addresses the effects of exposure to low dose LET (Linear Energy Transfer) ionizing radiation and human health. Updating information previously presented in the 1990 publication, Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation: BEIR V, this book draws upon new data in both epidemiologic and experimental research. Ionizing radiation arises from both natural and man-made sources and at very high doses can produce damaging effects in human tissue that can be evident within days after exposure. However, it is the low-dose exposures that are the focus of this book. So-called “late” effects, such as cancer, are produced many years after the initial exposure. This book is among the first of its kind to include detailed risk estimates for cancer incidence in addition to cancer mortality. BEIR VII offers a full review of the available biological, biophysical, and epidemiological literature since the last BEIR report on the subject and develops the most up-to-date and comprehensive risk estimates for cancer and other health effects from exposure to low-level ionizing radiation.


Epidemiology by Design

Epidemiology by Design

Author: Daniel Westreich

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-10-16

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0190665777

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A (LONG OVERDUE) CAUSAL APPROACH TO INTRODUCTORY EPIDEMIOLOGY Epidemiology is recognized as the science of public health, evidence-based medicine, and comparative effectiveness research. Causal inference is the theoretical foundation underlying all of the above. No introduction to epidemiology is complete without extensive discussion of causal inference; what's missing is a textbook that takes such an approach. Epidemiology by Design takes a causal approach to the foundations of traditional introductory epidemiology. Through an organizing principle of study designs, it teaches epidemiology through modern causal inference approaches, including potential outcomes, counterfactuals, and causal identification conditions. Coverage in this textbook includes: · Introduction to measures of prevalence and incidence (survival curves, risks, rates, odds) and measures of contrast (differences, ratios); the fundamentals of causal inference; and principles of diagnostic testing, screening, and surveillance · Description of three key study designs through the lens of causal inference: randomized trials, prospective observational cohort studies, and case-control studies · Discussion of internal validity (within a sample), external validity, and population impact: the foundations of an epidemiologic approach to implementation science For first-year graduate students and advanced undergraduates in epidemiology and public health fields more broadly, Epidemiology by Design offers a rigorous foundation in epidemiologic methods and an introduction to methods and thinking in causal inference. This new textbook will serve as a foundation not just for further study of the field, but as a head start on where the field is going.


Foundations of Epidemiology

Foundations of Epidemiology

Author: Marit L. Bovbjerg

Publisher:

Published: 2020-10

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 9781955101035

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Foundations of Epidemiology is an open access, introductory epidemiology text intended for students and practitioners in public or allied health fields. It covers epidemiologic thinking, causality, incidence and prevalence, public health surveillance, epidemiologic study designs and why we care about which one is used, measures of association, random error and bias, confounding and effect modification, and screening. Concepts are illustrated with numerous examples drawn from contemporary and historical public health issues.


Epidemiologic Studies of Veterans Exposed to Depleted Uranium

Epidemiologic Studies of Veterans Exposed to Depleted Uranium

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2008-09-11

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13: 0309178568

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Depleted uranium, a component of some weapons systems, has been in use by the U.S. military since the 1991 Gulf War. Military personnel have been exposed to depleted uranium as the result of friendly fire incidents, cleanup and salvage operations, and proximity to burning depleted uranium-containing tanks and ammunition. Under a Congressional mandate, the Department of Defense sought guidance from the Institute of Medicine in evaluating the feasibility and design of an epidemiologic study that would assess health outcomes of exposure to depleted uranium. The study committee examined several options to study health outcomes of depleted uranium exposure in military and veteran populations and concluded that it would be difficult to design a study to comprehensively assess depleted uranium-related health outcomes with currently available data. The committee further concluded that the option most likely to obtain useful information about depleted uranium-related health outcomes would be a prospective cohort study if future military operations involve exposure to depleted uranium. The book contains recommendations aimed at improving future epidemiologic studies and identifying current active-duty military personnel and veterans with potential DU exposure.