title: [Epidemiology and health policy].
abstract: This work comments on the complex relationship between epidemiology and health policy. In a first step different models of scientific advice in policy and interactions between policy and science are regarded in general. In a second step the more special problems in the relationship between epidemiology and health policy are discussed. Epidemiology investigates the distribution of health, illness and risk factors in a population in a systematic way. This gives the basis for evidence-based policy. The difficulties and chances in this process are explained in a systematic as well as in an exemplary way. As a conclusion, politicians and epidemiologists should enter into a process of communication and develop the necessary abilities. The knowledge of differences in thinking, aims and values may be helpful in this process.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsberichterstattung, Robert Koch-Institut, Postfach 659261, 13303 Berlin. kurthb@rki.de
authors.forename: B-M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kurth
mesh_terms: D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005858:Germany; D011640:Public Policy; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*