也谈“人群”是流行病学认识疾病现象的视角

Commentary on ＂Group and organization： a dimension of collaboration of anthropology and epidemiology＂ by Song LM and Wang N

流行病学研究疾病在人群中的分布，不仅是分析疾病及其影响因素在个体间的变异从而在个体特征上发现病因的方法，也是分析以人群为基本测量单位的群体特征、认识造成人群之间疾病发生和存在状态差异及其影响因素的方法。流行病学不仅是研究疾病和健康现象的方法，且更应恪守降低发病率、患病率和病死率等公共卫生目标，探索在人群层面防制疾病、促进健康的策略和措施。要改善人群健康，不仅需要多学科的方法和视角，还应采用系统科学的思维，才能对影响健康因素的多层次结构关系和作用过程及其背景等有整体认识。

Epidemiology, as the study of occurrence and distribution of diseases or health events in specified populations and the application of the study to control health problems, is not just a method to study determinants of diseases at individual level through analysis of mass data based on individuals. To achieve the aims on the control of health problems in specified populations, Epidemiology should be public health-oriented to reduce incidence, prevalence and mortality, and should include study on determinants at the population level. Interdisplinarity and systems science will facilitate the breakthrough in improving health of the populations.