Epidemiological Research in Total Communities: Settings and Perspectives

Abstract

Problems of epidemiological research into the causes of disease and questions relating to medical care can both be studied with advantage either in a representative sample of the population or in a community in its totality. The advantages and shortcomings of the sample approach and the total community operation have been contrasted and discussed. The ecological orientation of total community studies has been described in some detail; an actual example of such a study was given. The essential unity of medical research and medical practice in community health was stressed.