The evolution of disease: anthropological perspectives on epidemiologic transitions.
BACKGROUND
The model of epidemiologic transitions has served as a guiding framework for understanding relationships between patterns of human health and disease and economic development for the past several decades. However, epidemiologic transition theory is infrequently employed in epidemiology.


OBJECTIVE
Moving beyond Omran's original formulation, we discuss critiques and modifications of the theory of epidemiologic transitions and highlight some of the ways in which incorporating epidemiologic transition theory can benefit theory and practice in epidemiology.


METHODS
We focus on two broad contemporary trends in human health that epidemiologic transition theory is useful for conceptualizing: the increased incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs), such as allergic and autoimmune diseases, and the emergence and reemergence of infectious disease.


RESULTS
Situating these trends within epidemiologic transition theory, we explain the rise in CIDs with the hygiene hypothesis and the rise in emerging and reemerging infections with the concept of a third epidemiologic transition.


CONCLUSIONS
Contextualizing these trends within epidemiologic transition theory reveals implications for clinical practice, global health policies, and future research within epidemiology.
Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, Cobb Institute of Archaeology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA; Mkz12@msstate.edu.
Molly Kathleen
MK
Zuckerman
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Kristin Nicole
KN
Harper
Department of Anthropology, Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN, USA.
Ronald
R
Barrett
Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
George John
GJ
Armelagos
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology; D004813:Epidemiology; D014943:Global Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology; D008954:Models, Biological
Omran; epidemiologic transitions; epidemiology; hygiene hypothesis; infectious disease