====== Epidemiology ======
The science that studies the patterns, causes, and effects of [[health]] and [[disease]] conditions in defined populations. 

It is the cornerstone of public health and informs policy decisions and [[evidence-based medicine]] and practice by identifying [[risk factor]]s for [[disease]] and targets for preventive [[healthcare]]. 

Epidemiologists help with study design, collection, and statistical analysis of [[data]], and interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review). Epidemiology has helped develop methodology used in clinical research, public health studies, and, to a lesser extent, basic research in the biological sciences. 
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see [[Incidence]]

see [[Prevalence]]
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Next section [[Classification]].