Epidemiologists use various methods to study geographical variations, including:
- Descriptive epidemiology: This involves mapping and analyzing the distribution of diseases to identify patterns and trends. Tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are often used to visualize data. - Analytical epidemiology: This approach involves investigating the determinants of health outcomes by comparing different populations. Case-control studies, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies are commonly used. - Ecological studies: These studies examine the relationship between environmental factors and disease incidence at the population level, rather than the individual level.
