Environmental and occupational epidemiology evidence as a basis for public health action

Environmental and occupational health (EOH) hazards were important driving forces in the development of epidemiology in the 19th and early 20th century. Basic epidemiological principles of time, place and person were used to identify and prevent diseases caused by EOH hazards. In the 1950s more detailed epidemiological studies were used and much of the evidence used to develop environmental or occupational health standards and preventive public health actions was accumulated from such studies. Selected New Zealand examples will be used as illustrations. The challenge now is to demonstrate with EOH epidemiology the occurrence of more subtle effects of EOH hazards and the role of the non-health sector in implementing effective public health actions to prevent such effects. (author abstract)