Epidemiology has often been defined as the study of the distribution of disease, together with the distribution of factors that may modify that risk of disease. As such, epidemiology has often been reduced to a methodology only, providing a mechanism for the study of disease that is somehow removed, separate and apart from the populations that serve as its focus. Epidemiology, however, is much more than that. The discipline p- vides a way of perceiving and knowing the world, and of relating to the c- munities whose health and disease patterns we are trying to understand. As such, its usefulness extends past the construction of questionnaires, the detective work inherent in tracing the source of an infection or the analysis of data. Rather, epidemiology serves as a point of reference and a linkage between various domains of reality: in the courtroom, between a com- nity's injuries and those alleged to be responsible for those violations; between the community striving to effectuate changes to improve its health and environment and the lawmakers and policymakers whose actions may dictate or control the likelihood of that change; and between mainstream populations and those who become or remain marginalized and stigmatized due to disease or perceived disease.

Provides a methodology for perceiving the world and relating to the communities whose health and disease patterns need to be understood Focuses on the use of the epidemiology in the legal context, using case studies to illustrate the issues raised Challenges the boundaries about what epidemiology is and how it is to be used to make a contribution to the groups it studies

Autorentext

Sana Loue, J.D., Ph.D., MPH, has authored/edited about a dozen books on sexuality, epidemiology, rural and ethnic health and is a renowned figure in the subject of immigrant and minority health. Dr. Loue is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. She **has done research on HIV Prevention, Knowledge and Assessment, Immigration and Women's Health. She is currently at work on a new encyclopedia on aging in addition to a case studies textbook on ethics & HIV and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Public Health Association, and Society for Behavioral Medicine.

Inhalt
Epidemiology in the Courtroom.- Case Study One.- Case Study Two.- Epidemiology, Legislation, and Rulemaking.- Case Study Three.- Case Study Four.- Law, Epidemiology, and Community Organization and Advocacy.- Case Study Five.- Case Study Six.- Epidemiology, Law, and Social Context.- Case Study Seven.- Case Study Eight.