In the previous edition of this book, the predominant theme was applying epidemiology to assist managers in dealing with an environment in which the structure of health care financing was rapidly changing to managed care and in which there was increasing competition among health care providers. While these phenomena continue to exist, new challenges have emerged, and in particular the explosion of information technology has given way to a global society and decision making that is increasingly shared with consumers because of their access to the same sets of data. Thus, the questions with which health care managers are confronted on a daily basis are now exceedingly more complex: (1) How can a population be defined considering that both exposures and diseases originating in one corner of the globe can rapidly become a threat to any nation’s security? (2) Where do influences on a population begin and end? (3) How can we protect and promote health in that population or any population if privacy is preeminent? This edition brings in this editor’s view of the increasing need for health care managers, be they in private or public settings, to use epidemiological concepts and methods. The ch- lenges posed by health care delivery in the 21st century are immense, ranging from redefining life and health given the advances in genetic technology, global environmental changes, and multinational simultaneous increases in poverty and longevity, to economic decisions rega- ing technology and service levels that fewer and fewer can afford.

As the obesity epidemic widens to all age groups and nations, chronic conditions increase in frequency, and populations grow in number, the costs of treatment will exhaust future health care resources. The only alternative is population-based m- agement emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and environmental modifi- tions. Dissemination of information on risk factors derived from epidemiologic studies to evoke individual, community, and policy change is a strategy in suppo- ing this approach. Complementing this needs to be health care services based upon the knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods to achieve control of existing and emerging health problems given resource constraints and ethical considerations. While some of these health problems and their consequences are predictable and generally addressed by health systems, health care services need to address unpredictable exposures and events as well. Epidemiology also provides a framework for planning health services for unpredictable events such as natural and man-made disasters. This text focuses on the unique application of epidemiology to health care m- agement practice, regardless of the setting of that practice. This emerging discipline termed is “managerial epidemiology. ” Managerial epidemiology draws from the traditional disciplines of public health, epidemiology, and health care management for improving the health of populations, be those in communities or served by health plans or systems.

As the obesity epidemic widens to all age groups and nations, chronic conditions increase in frequency, and populations grow in number, the costs of treatment will exhaust future health care resources. The only alternative is population-based m- agement emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and environmental modifi- tions. Dissemination of information on risk factors derived from epidemiologic studies to evoke individual, community, and policy change is a strategy in suppo- ing this approach. Complementing this needs to be health care services based upon the knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods to achieve control of existing and emerging health problems given resource constraints and ethical considerations. While some of these health problems and their consequences are predictable and generally addressed by health systems, health care services need to address unpredictable exposures and events as well. Epidemiology also provides a framework for planning health services for unpredictable events such as natural and man-made disasters. This text focuses on the unique application of epidemiology to health care m- agement practice, regardless of the setting of that practice. This emerging discipline termed is “managerial epidemiology. ” Managerial epidemiology draws from the traditional disciplines of public health, epidemiology, and health care management for improving the health of populations, be those in communities or served by health plans or systems.

In this introductory textbook to epidemiology, students will discover the knowledge and skills required for managing population-based health care under health reform. Fundamental epidemiological techniques are presented teaching students to assess the health status of populations served; determine appropriate interventions based upon knowledge of factors which affect health status; and evaluate the impact of health care systems, programs, technologies, and policies on the health status of populations. Each chapter includes case studies and discussion questions.

In this introductory textbook to epidemiology, students will discover the knowledge and skills required for managing population-based health care under health reform. Fundamental epidemiological techniques are presented teaching students to assess the health status of populations served; determine appropriate interventions based upon knowledge of factors which affect health status; and evaluate the impact of health care systems, programs, technologies, and policies on the health status of populations. Each chapter includes case studies and discussion questions.

In the previous edition of this book, the predominant theme was applying epidemiology to assist managers in dealing with an environment in which the structure of health care financing was rapidly changing to managed care and in which there was increasing competition among health care providers. While these phenomena continue to exist, new challenges have emerged, and in particular the explosion of information technology has given way to a global society and decision making that is increasingly shared with consumers because of their access to the same sets of data. Thus, the questions with which health care managers are confronted on a daily basis are now exceedingly more complex: (1) How can a population be defined considering that both exposures and diseases originating in one corner of the globe can rapidly become a threat to any nation’s security? (2) Where do influences on a population begin and end? (3) How can we protect and promote health in that population or any population if privacy is preeminent? This edition brings in this editor’s view of the increasing need for health care managers, be they in private or public settings, to use epidemiological concepts and methods. The ch- lenges posed by health care delivery in the 21st century are immense, ranging from redefining life and health given the advances in genetic technology, global environmental changes, and multinational simultaneous increases in poverty and longevity, to economic decisions rega- ing technology and service levels that fewer and fewer can afford.

As the obesity epidemic widens to all age groups and nations, chronic conditions increase in frequency, and populations grow in number, the costs of treatment will exhaust future health care resources. The only alternative is population-based m- agement emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and environmental modifi- tions. Dissemination of information on risk factors derived from epidemiologic studies to evoke individual, community, and policy change is a strategy in suppo- ing this approach. Complementing this needs to be health care services based upon the knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods to achieve control of existing and emerging health problems given resource constraints and ethical considerations. While some of these health problems and their consequences are predictable and generally addressed by health systems, health care services need to address unpredictable exposures and events as well. Epidemiology also provides a framework for planning health services for unpredictable events such as natural and man-made disasters. This text focuses on the unique application of epidemiology to health care m- agement practice, regardless of the setting of that practice. This emerging discipline termed is “managerial epidemiology. ” Managerial epidemiology draws from the traditional disciplines of public health, epidemiology, and health care management for improving the health of populations, be those in communities or served by health plans or systems.

As the obesity epidemic widens to all age groups and nations, chronic conditions increase in frequency, and populations grow in number, the costs of treatment will exhaust future health care resources. The only alternative is population-based m- agement emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and environmental modifi- tions. Dissemination of information on risk factors derived from epidemiologic studies to evoke individual, community, and policy change is a strategy in suppo- ing this approach. Complementing this needs to be health care services based upon the knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods to achieve control of existing and emerging health problems given resource constraints and ethical considerations. While some of these health problems and their consequences are predictable and generally addressed by health systems, health care services need to address unpredictable exposures and events as well. Epidemiology also provides a framework for planning health services for unpredictable events such as natural and man-made disasters. This text focuses on the unique application of epidemiology to health care m- agement practice, regardless of the setting of that practice. This emerging discipline termed is “managerial epidemiology. ” Managerial epidemiology draws from the traditional disciplines of public health, epidemiology, and health care management for improving the health of populations, be those in communities or served by health plans or systems.

In this introductory textbook to epidemiology, students will discover the knowledge and skills required for managing population-based health care under health reform. Fundamental epidemiological techniques are presented teaching students to assess the health status of populations served; determine appropriate interventions based upon knowledge of factors which affect health status; and evaluate the impact of health care systems, programs, technologies, and policies on the health status of populations. Each chapter includes case studies and discussion questions.

In this introductory textbook to epidemiology, students will discover the knowledge and skills required for managing population-based health care under health reform. Fundamental epidemiological techniques are presented teaching students to assess the health status of populations served; determine appropriate interventions based upon knowledge of factors which affect health status; and evaluate the impact of health care systems, programs, technologies, and policies on the health status of populations. Each chapter includes case studies and discussion questions.