The
advancement of epidemiology depends on developments in epidemiologic methods
and in research findings. For both, new technologies are highly important. It
is, for example, difficult to understand the strong growth in epidemiologic
data-analysis without the emergence of the computer, or of molecular and
genetic epidemiology without major advances in molecular technology. The
purpose of this editorial is to invite articles on the new technologies that
are likely to play a crucial role in the further development of epidemiology
and of epidemiologic research.
For the practice of epidemiology and
its methods, we already see the first glimpses of the introduction of modern
information technology. We have witnessed the application of new technology in
the remarkable explosion of genome-wide association studies (GWAs) of various
diseases and traits. We also see the first results of new imaging studies and
the emergence of the exceedingly important field of population imaging.
The “hypothesis free” approach in the
GWAs, i.e. approach without the use of prior knowledge, has been considerably more
productive than the candidate gene approach. This is sobering for those of us
who have an optimistic view on what we know, and has led to the conclusion that “most
recent findings are false”. The GWAs have also led to large-scale collaborations
in epidemiology in a form and quantity that we had not witnessed before,
although it remains to be seen whether this is a lasting phenomenon.
The new imaging practices that are
currently applied in population studies are likely to be the beginning of an
avalanche in epidemiologic studies of many diseases. These imaging techniques
enable epidemiologists to study disease at a previous stage than when a
clinical diagnosis can be made, allow for objective assessment of the disease
or trait, and make repeated assessment possible. These features are likely to
be very advantageous, in particular for etiologic epidemiologic research.
The European Journal of Epidemiology
publishes quite frequently descriptions of new studies and presents also
occasionally updates of these studies’ objectives and design. We invite in
particular new studies that make use of new technologies and we will also
certainly, consider manuscripts on the technical details of these technologies
that are applied in epidemiologic research.
#Epidemiology
#Infectious #Diseases #microbiology
For
more details contact:
Isabella
Ross | Program Manager | EuroEpidemiology2019
Mail id: euroepidemiology@memeetings.net