Behavioral Epidemiology

Behavioral Epidemiology: Principles and Applications is the first of its kind to bring together the disciplines of the social/behavioral sciences and epidemiology. The text reviews how we study health in relation to behaviors, the complexities of such studies, ways to minimize these complexities, and how to use this knowledge to prevent and control disease in human populations. By combining these disciplines, this book provides a foundation for students and researchers in the methods used to study behavior, drawing upon mutually successful methods, and discussing what to do when these disciplines overlap or interact. This text is ideal for master's level or early doctoral graduate students in the behavioral sciences, epidemiology, or public health, as well as researchers from other fields interested in an introduction to population-based research of behavior and health.

Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgments; Chapter 1 Introduction; Public Health and Epidemiology; Behavioral Sciences; Behavioral Epidemiology; Descriptive Epidemiology of Health Behaviors; Natural History of Disease; Behavior and the Epidemiologic Transition; Summary; References; Chapter 2 Behavioral Sciences Research; Basic Research in the Behavioral Sciences; Applied Research in the Behavioral Sciences; Behavioral Psychology; Group Influences on Behavior; Health Behavior in the Workplace; Health Behavior Affected by Larger Systems.

Linking Health Behaviors with Health OutcomesAdjunct Areas of Research; Summary; References; Chapter 3 Health Behavior and Theory; Health Behavior and Disease Prevention; Prolonged Life; Health Education and Promotion; Health Behavior Theories; Summary; References; Chapter 4 Determinants of Behavior; Cause and Effect; Decision Making; What Is a Behavioral Determinant?; Taxonomy of Behavioral Determinants; Common Behavioral Determinants; Summary; References; Chapter 5 Behavioral Epidemiologic Research; Elements of the Study Plan; The Question; Background and Significance; Research Design.

Study ParticipantsVariables; Statisti…