Enigmas of Health and Disease: How Epidemiology Helps Unravel Scientific Mysteries (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780231168854)

This book is the principal account of epidemiology's role in the development of effective measures to identify, prevent, and treat diseases. Throughout history, epidemiologists have challenged conventional knowledge, elucidating mysteries of causality and paving the way for remedies. From the outbreak of the bubonic plague, cholera, and cancer to the search for an effective treatment of AIDS and the origins of Alzheimer's disease, epidemiological thought has been crucial in shaping our understanding of population health issues.

Alfredo Morabia's lucid retelling sheds new light on the historical triumphs of epidemiological research and allows for contemporary readers, patients, and nontechnical audiences to make sense of the immense amount of health information disseminated by the media. By drawing from both historical and contemporary sources, Morabia provides the reader with the tools to differentiate health beliefs from health knowledge. The book covers important topics, including the H1N1 swine flu epidemic, breast cancer, the effects of aspirin, and the link between cigarettes and lung cancer.

Author: Alfredo Morabia
ISBN-10: 0231168853
ISBN-13: 9780231168854
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Language: English
Published: 06/24/2014
Pages: 296
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.60d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 03/01/2015 pg. 1183