Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-225) and index.

Preface -- 1. Epidemics and science -- 2. The beginnings of epidemiology -- 3. Lung cancer: new methods of studying disease -- 4. Heart disease: untangling the risk factors -- 5. Hazards in the environment: finding "safe" levels -- 6. Medicines that backfire -- 7. Screening populations: costs, risks, and benefits -- 8. Health care services: what works? -- 9. The future of disease and epidemiology -- Further readings -- Sources of illustrations -- Index. This book shows undergraduates and general readers how epidemiologists investigate the outbreak and spread of contagious diseases and how they deal with threats to health such as heart disease, cancer, and environmental and occupational illnesses. Traces the field from its beginnings in the 17th century to modern times, and discusses the workings of the health care system and aspects including advertising campaigns and surgical procedures.