History of Epidemiologic Ideas [ESP53]

Detailed information about this course:

Description

Faculty: Prof. Alfredo Morabia, MD PhD

Because of the key role it played in forecasting and modelling the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic, epidemiology is better known now by the public at large, but is it? What is epidemiology? The methods (group comparisons) and concepts (confounding, bias, interaction) of epidemiology have been developed through attempts to understand the causes of major epidemics of infectious diseases, as well as the epidemic rise of non-communicable diseases, from the 17th century through the 21st. Its unique combination of population thinking and group comparison has helped society to control and prevent these major scourges. The course reviews these epidemics and pandemics, and discusses their impact on the research methods and concepts taught today in epidemiology. The course is comprised of lectures by Alfredo Morabia, but students are requested to respond to short questions at the end of every lecture. The responses are discussed the next day in class.

Objectives

• Understand that epidemiologic methods and concepts are in constant evolution and transformation
• Link the plague, cholera, tuberculosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, HIV/AIDS, and Covid-19, in their societal context, with the evolution of specific methods and concepts in epidemiology
• Develop an identity of epidemiologists aware of the history of their discipline
  

Participant profile

Clinical researchers, clinical epidemiologists, decision scientists, public health researchers, historians of science.

Assessment

Attendance