Epidemiology the root of prevention of disease and pointer to better provision of health services.
Epidemiology goes hand in hand with prevention of diseases. Unlike clinical medicine it deals with the health of groups of people instead of individuals in the community. Epidemiology identifies the root of the health problem in the community and seeks to find who is affected, when and where, through surveys and research. It goes on to set up control measures to prevent future occurrences. This may involve changing health and social policies to make sure that identified health problems are properly taken care of. Epidemiology, if properly applied, leads to better budgeting and allocation of resources in areas of need especially in this era when resources are very scarce. It is only when a problem is tackled from its root, that control, preventive measures and elimination of the problem is more effective. It is time we focussed our attention on "upstream" endeavour, long-term and lasting solutions to our health problems.
Okoli
J C
JC
Federal Ministry of Health, Public Health Directorate, National Arbovirus & Vectors' Research Div., Enugu.
D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods