Epidemiology is integral to public health. This book introduces the principles, methods and application of epidemiology for improving health and survival. It is designed for self-directed learning by students and all who work in public health and health-related areas, including health economists, health policy analysts, and health services managers.Using this book will help you to practice the application of basic epidemiological methods to measure health outcomes, identify risk factors for a negative outcome, and evaluate health interventions and health services. The book helps to distinguish between strong and poor epidemiological evidence, an ability that is fundamental to promoting evidence-based health care.