What are the research methods of environmental epidemiology? Try some common research methods.

Environmental epidemiology is to study the relationship between external environmental factors and population health from a macro perspective by using traditional epidemiological methods and combining the characteristics of the relationship between environment and population health. Therefore, it has its own characteristics in research content and methodology.

General epidemiology is to study the distribution of diseases in the population, explore the decisive factors or reasons that lead to or affect the occurrence and prevalence of diseases in the population, and finally put forward measures to control the epidemic of diseases. Descriptive research (including ecology and current situation), analytical research (case control, cohort study) and experimental epidemiological research methods are usually used to explore the pathogenic factors and prevention and control countermeasures from the differences of morbidity or mortality among different groups and the reactions of other groups. In addition to the methodological characteristics of general epidemiology, environmental epidemiology also has the following characteristics in research content and methodology.

1. The influence of environmental factors on people's health is not only reflected in diseases, but also a spectrum of health effects with extensive reactions. More often, it is to study a series of health effects before the onset, including changes in physiological functions, biochemical metabolism and so on.

2. The exposure factors in environmental epidemiological research are mostly physical and chemical factors. Understand the exposure factors and study their effects on health, such as the impact of fluorine pollution in phosphate fertilizer plants on residents' health; Or appear abnormal health, explore the exposure factors that lead to abnormal health, for example, in recent years, Chinese scholars have studied the etiology of Xuanwei lung cancer, Linxian esophageal cancer, Keshan disease and Kaschin-Beck disease, and Japan has studied the etiology of Minamata disease and pain.

3. The ultimate goal of environmental epidemiological research is to eliminate pollution, improve the environment and protect people's health. Through the monitoring of environment and health, we can find out the environmental factors harmful to health and the damage to health, and take measures to control the occurrence and development of diseases. Environmental epidemiology pays special attention to the study of exposure-effect relationship and exposure-response relationship, which is an important basis for formulating environmental health standards, regulations and rules.