Prevention Science: An Epidemiological Approach

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of prevention science and the role of epidemiology in the field of prevention science. Specifically, we discuss several major ways in which prevention science is informed by epidemiology. First, we describe how epidemiology is useful in identifying target populations and vulnerable periods as well as discuss the distribution of disease, etiological risk and protective factors, and human development across the lifespan. Second, we highlight the ways in which epidemiology is used to develop frameworks, including an ecological and developmental framework to prevention, and how these frameworks are useful for understanding and comparing targeted populations for specific times of risk. Third, we describe experimental epidemiology and widely used analytic and methodological approaches for testing the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions. Fourth, we describe the role of epidemiology in implementation strategies. Finally, we discuss the need to work toward feedback loops whereby prevention science findings are used to inform epidemiology and vice versa. Although the fields of prevention science and epidemiology share a common goal and interest in health promotion and disease prevention, to some extent, both disciplines often operate in isolation with a minimal feedback loop process. These feedback loops may be essential in advancing both fields. To highlight these concepts, we use several disease and health-risk behaviors, including HIV/AIDS, obesity, and alcohol and drug use.