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Epidemiology has often been defined as the study of the distribution of disease, together with the distribution of factors that may modify that risk of disease. As such, epidemiology has often been reduced to a methodology only, providing a mechanism for the study of disease that is somehow removed, separate and apart from the populations that serve as its focus. Epidemiology, however, is much more than that. The discipline p- vides a way of perceiving and knowing the world, and of relating to the c- munities whose health and disease patterns we are trying to understand. As such, its usefulness extends past the construction of questionnaires, the detective work inherent in tracing the source of an infection or the analysis of data. Rather, epidemiology serves as a point of reference and a linkage between various domains of reality: in the courtroom, between a com- nity's injuries and those alleged to be responsible for those violations; between the community striving to effectuate changes to improve its health and environment and the lawmakers and policymakers whose actions may dictate or control the likelihood of that change; and between "mainstream" populations and those who become or remain marginalized and stigmatized due to disease or perceived disease.
List of contents
Epidemiology in the Courtroom.- Case Study One.- Case Study Two.- Epidemiology, Legislation, and Rulemaking.- Case Study Three.- Case Study Four.- Law, Epidemiology, and Community Organization and Advocacy.- Case Study Five.- Case Study Six.- Epidemiology, Law, and Social Context.- Case Study Seven.- Case Study Eight.
Summary
Epidemiology has often been defined as the study of the distribution of disease, together with the distribution of factors that may modify that risk of disease. As such, epidemiology has often been reduced to a methodology only, providing a mechanism for the study of disease that is somehow removed, separate and apart from the populations that serve as its focus. Epidemiology, however, is much more than that. The discipline p- vides a way of perceiving and knowing the world, and of relating to the c- munities whose health and disease patterns we are trying to understand. As such, its usefulness extends past the construction of questionnaires, the detective work inherent in tracing the source of an infection or the analysis of data. Rather, epidemiology serves as a point of reference and a linkage between various domains of reality: in the courtroom, between a com- nity’s injuries and those alleged to be responsible for those violations; between the community striving to effectuate changes to improve its health and environment and the lawmakers and policymakers whose actions may dictate or control the likelihood of that change; and between “mainstream” populations and those who become or remain marginalized and stigmatized due to disease or perceived disease.
Additional text
... "an important and valuable contribution to the literature in the field. It is an interesting, well organized, and easy to read book that continues Dr. Loue’s good work in bridging the gap between the scientific and legal communities. It is recommended for forensic epidemiologists, whichever career path ... they may pursue, as well as for attorneys whose work calls them to interact with these scientists. Physicians who are often subpoenaed to testify in a court of law, attorneys involved in various kinds of medical-legal litigation, and those thinking of entering the interesting and intellectually challenging field of forensic epidemiology will especially find this a useful reference book."
(Cyril H. Wecht, M.D., J.D., F.C.L.M and Steven A Koehler, M.P.H., Ph.D. (The Journal of Legal Medicine, 24)
Report
... "an important and valuable contribution to the literature in the field. It is an interesting, well organized, and easy to read book that continues Dr. Loue's good work in bridging the gap between the scientific and legal communities. It is recommended for forensic epidemiologists, whichever career path ... they may pursue, as well as for attorneys whose work calls them to interact with these scientists. Physicians who are often subpoenaed to testify in a court of law, attorneys involved in various kinds of medical-legal litigation, and those thinking of entering the interesting and intellectually challenging field of forensic epidemiology will especially find this a useful reference book."
(Cyril H. Wecht, M.D., J.D., F.C.L.M and Steven A Koehler, M.P.H., Ph.D. (The Journal of Legal Medicine, 24)
