This module provides an overview of the perspective public health brings to the overall health and illness care systems. While it has a strong emphasis on the role that official health agencies play, it provides ample opportunity to identify the leadership and collaborative roles played by all health professionals and by community members.

At the conclusion of this module, the learner will be able to:

- define epidemiology and explain its role as the foundation for public health

- describe three common measures of disease frequency

- discuss the strengths and weaknesses of three major epidemiologic study designs