This course aims to provide an introduction to the study designs and analytic methods available to public health researchers to describe the influence of important determinants on public health and to evaluate the effects of primary preventive intervention on public health. Examples are: standardisation of morbidity and mortality rates; life table analysis; calculation of measures of association and potential impact of relevance to public health; establishing effects of population interventions without randomization. In addition, a number of substantive issues will be discussed, such as inequalities of health; public health aspects of ageing; causes of cancer, and exposure assessment in environmental epidemiology. The course will be relevant to those who have a basic knowledge of epidemiology, and who wish to start a career in public health research. 15 hrs.

Objectives:

Develop an understanding of a number of research design and analytic methods which are often used in Public Health Research.

Discuss a number of substantive issues in Public Health on the basis of recent research findings.