Journal of Water and Health Vol 04 No Suppl 2 pp 3–18 © IWA Publishing 2006 doi:10.2166/wh.2006.015
Assessing waterborne risks: an introduction
Gunther F. Craun, Rebecca L. Calderon and Timothy J. Wade
Gunther F. Craun & Associates, 101 West Frederick Street, Suite 207, Staunton, VA 24401, USA gfcraun@verizon.net
National Health & Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research & Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
ABSTRACT
Information in this paper can help readers evaluate the results of epidemiologic studies of waterborne disease risks. It is important that readers understand the various epidemiologic study designs, their strengths and limitations, and potential biases. Terminology used by epidemiologists to describe disease risks can be confusing. Thus, readers should not only evaluate the adequacy of the information to estimate waterborne risks but should also understand how the risk was estimated. For example, one author's definition of attributable risk may be quite different from another author's in terms of the population to which the risk may apply and how it should be interpreted.
Keywords: attributable risk; bias; endemic disease; epidemic disease; epidemiologic studies; gastroenteritis; outbreaks; waterborne disease
Full article (PDF Format)
PAY-PER-VIEW: Buy this article for £20.00 (IWA MEMBER PRICE: £15.00)
|
